Chessy
Alekhine Defense: Bc4 — Black Strikes Back
After 1.e4 Nf6 you've already stepped outside the ordinary, and when White plays 2.Bc4 instead of the main 2.e5 or 2.d4, something special happens: you can grab the pawn with 2...Nxe4. It's not a bluff — according to the Lichess database, Black actually wins 52.7% of the time from here (against just 44.0% for White across over 330,000 games). The engine rates this position -1.10, a clear advantage for Black. That means you, playing Black, are already clearly better. The drill below will show you exactly how to handle White's best reply and what to do when they play something weaker.
Play the Alekhine Defense: Bc4 against the engine
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Create a free account →Why 2...Nxe4 Works Here
Normally grabbing the e4 pawn with the knight is risky — after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 you're on the run. But with White's bishop on c4 instead of pushing to e5, the situation is reversed. The bishop on c4 doesn't attack the knight on e4, and it leaves the f7 square vulnerable. White's best try is the immediate Bxf7+, giving up the bishop to rip open your kingside. Even then, after ...Kxf7 Qh5+ Kg8 you're up a piece for a pawn and facing no serious threats. The engine says Black is clearly better even against this critical line — so you can play 2...Nxe4 with confidence.
White's Best Try: The Bishop Sacrifice
If White plays 3.Bxf7+, don't panic. Take the bishop: 3...Kxf7. Then after 4.Qh5+ you retreat the king to 4...Kg8. That's the engine's top continuation. You're now a full piece up (bishop for a pawn) and your king is slightly exposed but not in real danger — White has only the queen and maybe a knight developed, while you have a material advantage and plenty of time to consolidate. Just bring your pieces out, connect your rooks, and the extra piece should decide the game.
What If White Doesn't Sacrifice?
Most White players don't find the best move. The most common reply is 3.Qf3 (over 75,000 games), but it's an inaccuracy that loses about 0.9 pawns of evaluation — White should have played Bxf7+. You can meet it by retreating the knight back to f6, defending with ...d6, or simply developing. 3.d3 is even more popular in some databases (nearly 67,000 games) and also an inaccuracy costing about 0.6 pawns. 3.Qh5 (nearly 40,000 games) is an inaccuracy too, losing about 0.7 pawns. In every case, you're better — just don't get greedy and remember to develop. The worst score White gets statistically is from the d3 line (43.5% for White), so you're especially happy to see that move.
The Numbers Behind the Advantage
Let's put the statistics to work. Across all 330,119 games from this position, Black scores over 52% while White scores just 44%. Even in White's best-scoring continuation — the bishop sacrifice Bxf7+, where White wins 48.1% of games — Black still wins more than White does (the remaining games are draws). When White plays the inaccurate Qf3, their winning percentage drops to 42.6%. With d3 it's 43.5%. The pattern is clear: in the Alekhine Defense with Bc4, you're the one pressing for a win from move three.
Results across 330,119 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Qf3 | 75,435 | 42.6% |
| d3 | 66,856 | 43.5% |
| Nf3 | 53,171 | 43.1% |
| Bxf7+ | 45,820 | 48.1% |
| Qh5 | 39,949 | 46.9% |
| Nc3 | 13,471 | 44.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is 2...Nxe4 safe in the Alekhine Defense?
Yes, it's safe and strong. Against 2.Bc4 instead of 2.e5, the pawn grab 2...Nxe4 is perfectly sound. The engine gives Black a clear advantage (-1.10), and Black wins 52.7% of games from this position. The only real danger is if you don't know how to respond to 3.Bxf7+, but after ...Kxf7 Qh5+ Kg8 you're a piece up and comfortably better.
What should I do if White plays 3.Qf3 against the Alekhine Defense Bc4?
3.Qf3 is actually an inaccuracy that loses about 0.9 pawns of evaluation compared to the best move. You can retreat your knight to f6, defend with ...d6, or simply develop your pieces. Statistically, White scores only 42.6% after 3.Qf3, so you're in a great spot. Just avoid unnecessary complications and enjoy your advantage.
Does Black have to worry about checkmate after Bxf7+?
Not at all. After 3.Bxf7+ Kxf7 4.Qh5+, you simply play 4...Kg8. The queen check is annoying but harmless — you have a whole extra bishop and your king is safe on g8. White has only the queen active, while you can develop with ...Nf6, ...d6, and ...Bg4 to chase the queen away. The engine confirms Black is clearly better in this line.
Why is the Alekhine Defense: Bc4 not more popular if Black is better?
The main line of the Alekhine Defense (1.e4 Nf6 2.e5) is much more common, so 2.Bc4 is a sideline that many White players try to avoid deep theory. But the statistics speak for themselves: Black scores over 52% from this position. It's a perfectly fine surprise weapon for Black, and most White players won't know the best reply (Bxf7+). Even then, the sacrifice doesn't equalise.
How many games feature the Alekhine Defense: Bc4?
Over 330K Lichess games have reached the Alekhine Defense: Bc4 position. White wins 44.0%, Black wins 52.7%, with 3.3% draws — based on real rated games.