Chessy
Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation for White
After 1.e4 Nf6 2.d3, you are choosing a quiet way to meet the Alekhine Defense. The position is calm, and the engine says it is level, so this is not about memorising sharp theory. It is about making good developing moves, staying flexible, and being ready for Black’s central counterplay. Use the drill below to practise the key decisions and get comfortable meeting the most common replies.
Play the Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill now and practise the critical decisions from this position. Create a free account to track your progress and revisit the line anytime.
Create a free account →A very even starting point
Stockfish rates this +0.00, which means the position is exactly level for White. That means you are not trying to prove an advantage right away; you are trying to keep the game sound and make Black work for equal chances. The practical story is just as balanced: across 1,590,722 games at this exact position, White scores 47.2%, draws 4.3%, and Black wins 48.5%.
What the engine wants you to know
The engine’s best move here is e5, and the listed continuation is e5 f4 exf4 Bxf4. That tells you the central theme immediately: Black is happy to meet your quiet setup with direct central play. In training, focus on responding to that pressure without drifting. Develop with a purpose, keep your pieces coordinated, and be ready to answer the centre rather than spending tempi on side ideas.
The most common moves you will face
The database shows several popular continuations, so you should expect variety rather than one forced line. The most-played move is e5, with 550,529 games and White scoring 46.9%. Next come d5, with 332,622 games and White scoring 45.5%, d6 with 245,876 games and White scoring 46.8%, g6 with 127,671 games and White scoring 48.0%, Nc6 with 122,921 games and White scoring 49.5%, and e6 with 113,610 games and White scoring 47.6%. The drill is valuable because it teaches you to stay steady no matter which of these Black chooses.
How to handle the quiet middlegame
Because this opening starts with 2.d3, the position often stays compact for a while. That makes basic opening principles especially important: finish development, keep your king safe, and avoid creating weaknesses too early. Since the engine says the position is level, small move-order details matter more than a single tactical punch. If you keep your structure healthy and your pieces active, you will be well placed to meet Black’s central breaks.
Results across 1,590,722 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e5 | 550,529 | 46.9% |
| d5 | 332,622 | 45.5% |
| d6 | 245,876 | 46.8% |
| g6 | 127,671 | 48.0% |
| Nc6 | 122,921 | 49.5% |
| e6 | 113,610 | 47.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation good for White?
It is perfectly playable for White, but it is not an opening where you claim an automatic edge. Stockfish gives +0.00, so the position is level, and your goal is to play a sound game from there. The drill helps you learn how to do that without overextending.
What is the engine’s best move in this position?
The engine’s best move is e5. The listed continuation is e5 f4 exf4 Bxf4, which shows that central play is the main idea to understand here. Practise meeting that pressure calmly in the drill.
Which reply is most common after 1.e4 Nf6 2.d3?
The most-played continuation is e5, with 550,529 games. Other common choices are d5, d6, g6, Nc6, and e6, so you should be ready for several different central setups. The position is flexible, which is why training it is useful.
What should I aim for as White in this opening?
Aim for steady development, king safety, and a flexible response to Black’s central play. Since the position is dead level, you are not trying to force anything immediately. Good fundamentals matter more than memorised tricks here.
How many games feature the Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation?
Over 2 million Lichess games have reached the Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation position. White wins 47.2%, Black wins 48.5%, with 4.3% draws — based on real rated games.