Chessy
Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe as Black
After 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ne4, you get an unusual Alekhine Defence that asks White a direct question. The position is already very unpleasant for Black: White has a big lead and a range of natural moves that keep the pressure on. That makes this an ideal drill for learning the defensive ideas, not just memorising a move. Play the position against the engine and get used to surviving the critical test instead of drifting into trouble.
Play the Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe against the engine
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Stockfish rates this +1.59, a near-winning advantage for White. That means you are in serious trouble already, and the game can feel close to decided if you do not know what to do next.
The practical message is simple: do not expect a calm equal game. Your task is to meet White’s central space and development with accurate defence, because passive play is punished quickly here.
The engine’s preferred defence
The engine’s best move here is d4, and the listed continuation is d4 e6 Nh3 Qh4. That is the line to study in the drill, because it shows the kind of active response the position demands.
When you are defending, you want moves that challenge White’s centre and keep your pieces active. In this opening, hesitation is costly, so the drill helps you practise finding the most resilient answer under pressure.
What White usually tries
White has several natural continuations, and the database shows that they all keep Black under pressure. The most-played move is d3 with 168,100 games, and White scores 62.4% there. Another major try is d4 with 132,881 games, where White scores 61.5%.
Other common moves are f3 (38,472 games, White scores 56.4%), Nf3 (29,560 games, White scores 59.4%), Qf3 (29,503 games, White scores 60.1%), and Qe2 (26,301 games, White scores 58.1%). In other words, White has many reasonable ways to keep the edge, so you need a solid defensive habit rather than a one-move trick.
The common mistakes to know
The database marks f3 as an inaccuracy, losing about 0.8 pawns; the better move was d4. It also marks Nf3 as an inaccuracy, losing about 0.6 pawns; again, d4 was better.
Qf3 is even worse: it is a mistake that loses about 1.1 pawns, with d4 the better move. For the defender, this is useful information: if White chooses one of these lines, you still need to stay alert, but the position already reflects how demanding this opening is for Black.
Results across 490,534 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d3 | 168,100 | 62.4% |
| d4 | 132,881 | 61.5% |
| f3 | 38,472 | 56.4% |
| Nf3 | 29,560 | 59.4% |
| Qf3 | 29,503 | 60.1% |
| Qe2 | 26,301 | 58.1% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe good for Black?
In this exact position, no. Stockfish rates it +1.59, a near-winning advantage for White, so Black is already under heavy pressure. The drill is useful if you want to practise defence, but you should not expect an equal or comfortable game.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is **d4**. The continuation given is **d4 e6 Nh3 Qh4**, which is the main line to study in the drill. That is the most important defensive resource in this position.
What does White usually play after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ne4?
The most-played move is **d3**, followed by **d4**. Other common choices are **f3**, **Nf3**, **Qf3**, and **Qe2**. White’s results are strong in all of these, which is why Black has to defend accurately.
Which White moves should I pay special attention to?
The database flags **f3** and **Nf3** as inaccuracies, and **Qf3** as a mistake. All three still leave White better, but they show where White may not be choosing the most precise way to press. Knowing this helps you recognise the critical defensive test when you face this setup.
How many games feature the Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe?
Over 490K Lichess games have reached the Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe position. White wins 60.5%, Black wins 36.5%, with 3.0% draws — based on real rated games.