Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe
The Mokele Mbembe is 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ne4, where the knight jumps forward into the middle of White's camp instead of retreating to d5. It is a provocative sideline: Black hopes White mishandles the knight, while White wants to kick it and build a big center.
- Moves
- 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ne4
- ECO
- B02
- Engine
- +1.49 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 926 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 57.0%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play 3.d4 and develop around the knight; Ne2, Nf4 and Bd3 can attack it or trade it, as in the top line.
- 3.d3 hits the knight at once; after ...Nc5 4.d4 it must retreat again, landing on a6 in the engine line.
- Use c3 or f3 against a knight that refuses to leave e4, and keep e5 supported with d4.
Black
- Support the knight with ...d5 or ...d6, and use ...f6 to hit e5 so the knight is not left alone.
- If the knight is kicked, retreat to c5 and, if needed, to a6 rather than losing it in the center.
- Develop with ...e6, ...Qe7 and ...c6 as the engine lines do, keeping the position closed.
Plans and pawn structure
White's lead in space and time decides this line. The knight on e4 has few safe squares, so White gains tempi with d3, f3 or Bd3, then castles and pushes f4 to support e5. Black's best hope is a compact setup with ...d5, ...e6 and ...f6, trying to open the f-file after White commits. In practice the knight often ends up on a6 or traded for a White knight, and White keeps a comfortable edge.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.49: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +1.49 3.d4 e6 4.Ne2 f6 5.Nf4 Qe7
- +1.42 3.d3 Nc5 4.d4 Nca6 5.Nc3 d6
- +1.39 3.c3 d5 4.d4 f6 5.Nd2 Nxd2
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
926 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 57.0%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Mokele Mbembe, Vavra Defense3.d4 · rare
How to play against it
Kick the knight and grab the center. 3.d4 or 3.d3 are both strong. Do not try to trap the knight by force; simple development with Bd3, Nf3 and O-O keeps the edge, and Black's lost time will tell. Keep e5 protected so ...f6 or ...d6 never wins it for free.
Questions
What are the moves of the Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe?
The Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe starts 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ne4. Its ECO code is B02.
Is the Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.49 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 926 lichess games from our sample, White scored 57.0%. A dubious surprise for Black, best left to blitz; White just needs to develop and chase the knight to get a clear edge.
What is the main idea of the Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe?
Black parks the knight on e4 to provoke White. White should hit it with d3 or develop with d4 and Bd3, using the time Black loses to build a strong center.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is d4, with d3 and c3 close behind. 3.d4 grabs space and prepares Bd3, so the e4 knight is soon short of safe squares.
Related lines
- Alekhine Defense
- Scandinavian Variation
- Maróczy Variation
- Two Pawns Attack
- Normal Variation
- Exchange Variation
- How to beat the Alekhine Defenseguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.