Chess Openings Lab
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Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation

The Maróczy Variation is 1.e4 Nf6 2.d3, where White simply protects e4 with a pawn and declines the Alekhine chase. White keeps a flexible setup with f4 or a fianchetto in mind; Black gets a free hand to claim the center.

Moves
1.e4 Nf6 2.d3
ECO
B02
Engine
−0.12 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,792 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 2...e5 play 3.f4, a King's Gambit style push with the extra move d3 already in.
  • After 3...exf4 recapture with the bishop on f4 and develop calmly with Be2 and c4, as the engine does.
  • Against ...d6 and ...g6 setups, a fianchetto with g3, Bg2 and Ne2 keeps the game slow and solid.

Black

  • Take the center with ...e5 or ...d5; d3 is passive, so Black faces no early pressure.
  • 2...c5 also works; if White answers 3.e5, the knight goes to d5 and ...d6 hits the pawn.
  • Develop normally with ...Nc6, ...Bc5 or ...Be7 and castle; the d3 pawn blocks White's own light-squared bishop.

Plans and pawn structure

Because White spends a move on d3, Black equalizes easily, and the shape of the game depends on White's next move. With f4, play resembles a King's Gambit or Vienna where e5 and the f-file matter, and Black's ...h6 can stop Bg5 and Ng5 ideas. With a fianchetto, the center stays fluid and both sides maneuver behind their pawns. Black's main aim is to grab space with ...e5 or ...d5 and develop without allowing a cheap e4-e5 push to kick the knight.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.12: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.12 2...e5 3.f4 exf4 4.Bxf4 Nc6 5.Be2
  2. −0.11 2...d6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 c5 5.Ne2
  3. −0.04 2...c5 3.e5 Nd5 4.g3 d6 5.exd6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,792 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.1%.

under 120050.2%
1200–159950.6%
1600–199949.8%
2000 and up49.9%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

Be ambitious. Grab the center with ...e5 or ...d5 and develop quickly; White's setup is too slow to punish you. Keep an eye on an early e5 push against the f6 knight and have ...Nd5 ready. Against f4, castle before the e-file opens.

Questions

What are the moves of the Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation?

The Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation starts 1.e4 Nf6 2.d3. Its ECO code is B02.

Is the Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.12 at depth 20, which is level. In 2,792 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.1%. A low-theory choice for players who want a calm game, though it gives Black an easy route to equality.

What is the main idea of the Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation?

White sidesteps the Alekhine's pawn chase by defending e4 with d3. The game becomes a quiet open game where Black takes the center with ...e5, ...d6 or ...c5 and White chooses between f4 and a kingside fianchetto.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is e5, with d6 and c5 close behind. 2...e5 takes central space at once and invites f4, which leads to a King's Gambit style fight.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.