Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Alekhine Defense: Sämisch Attack

The Sämisch Attack is 2.e5 Nd5 3.Nc3, where White offers a knight trade on c3 instead of chasing with pawns. White develops quickly and accepts doubled pawns; Black can take on c3 or keep the knight with ...e6 or ...c6 and recapture toward the center.

Moves
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.Nc3
ECO
B02
Engine
+0.23 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
537 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.3%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 3...Nxc3 recapture 4.dxc3; the open d-file and freed c1 bishop make up for the doubled c-pawns.
  • Develop with Nf3, Bf4 and Bb5 or Bc4, then castle and use e5 to cramp Black.
  • If Black plays ...e6 or ...c6, trade on d5 with Nxd5 and play d4 for a French or Caro style center.

Black

  • Take 3...Nxc3 and hit e5 with ...d6 and ...Nc6, as the engine does; the doubled c-pawns can later be targets.
  • 3...e6 4.Nxd5 exd5 gives a solid pawn on d5 and a free c8 bishop.
  • 3...c6 4.Nxd5 cxd5 creates a Caro-Kann style structure with a half-open c-file for Black.

Plans and pawn structure

With the knights traded and dxc3 played, White has fast development and open lines for the queen and bishops, so long castling and a kingside push are possible. Black should castle safely, trade pieces and later use the doubled c-pawns as a long-term target. After ...e6 or ...c6 with a pawn recapture on d5, the game resembles a French or Caro-Kann Advance, where the e5 pawn gives White space and Black aims at it with ...d6 or ...f6.

Where the engine's main line heads: White has doubled c-pawns. White's c-pawns are doubled, usually after ...Bxc3 bxc3. In return White keeps the bishop pair and a solid center.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.23: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.23 3...Nxc3 4.dxc3 d6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bb5
  2. +0.24 3...e6 4.Nxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 d6 6.d4
  3. +0.37 3...c6 4.Nxd5 cxd5 5.Nf3 d6 6.c3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

537 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.3%.

1200–159950.0%
1600–199960.9%
2000 and up47.6%

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

How to play against it

Simplest is 3...Nxc3 followed by ...d6 and ...Nc6, attacking e5 before White's pieces take over. If you prefer a pawn on d5, use ...e6 or ...c6 and recapture with the pawn. Remember the d5 knight is attacked, so decide on the trade or its support at once.

Questions

What are the moves of the Alekhine Defense: Sämisch Attack?

The Alekhine Defense: Sämisch Attack starts 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.Nc3. Its ECO code is B02.

Is the Alekhine Defense: Sämisch Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.23 at depth 20, which is level. In 537 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.3%. A practical, low-theory weapon for White that leads to calm positions; Black equalizes with straightforward development and an early ...d6.

What is the main idea of the Alekhine Defense: Sämisch Attack?

White develops a knight to c3 to challenge the d5 knight instead of driving it with pawns. After the trade on c3, White accepts doubled pawns in return for open lines and quick development.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nxc3, with e6 and c6 close behind. 3...Nxc3 removes White's best developed piece and forces a decision on how to recapture, with dxc3 freeing the bishop.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.