Chessy
Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe, Vavra Defense — Black to Move
After 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ne4 3.d4 e6, you reach a sharp early opening position where White is to move and Black already has to know what comes next. The engine says this line is uncomfortable for you, so the drill is about surviving accurately instead of hoping for the best. Play the position out against the computer, learn the most common White tries, and see how Black should respond when White keeps the initiative.
Play the Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe, Vavra Defense against the engine
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Create a free account →What the engine thinks of this position
Stockfish rates this +1.20, a clear advantage for White. That means you are in an uncomfortable spot and need precise defence, not casual development. The position is not over, but Black has to expect White to keep the pressure and use the lead in space well. In the drill, focus on making your moves with a purpose: solve immediate problems first, then look for counterplay.
The key reply to know
The engine’s best move here is Ne2. The suggested continuation is Ne2 f6 Nf4 g6, which gives you a concrete defensive route to study in the drill. Your main job is to meet White’s initiative without drifting into a worse endgame or allowing easy central control. If you remember only one idea from this page, remember that Black needs active, disciplined defence here.
What White usually chooses
This exact position has been reached very often: across 181,405 games, White wins 53.9%, draws 3.0%, and Black wins 43.1%. The most-played continuations are Bd3 (70,198 games, White scores 57.4%), f3 (38,050 games, White scores 46.1%), Nf3 (21,934 games, White scores 56.6%), Qf3 (10,768 games, White scores 54.2%), Nc3 (6,596 games, White scores 52.3%), and Qe2 (6,287 games, White scores 53.2%). That means you should be ready for a range of natural developing moves, with Bd3 the most common by far.
Moves that matter most for Black
The clearest warning signs in the data are f3, Qf3, and Nc3. The database marks f3 as a mistake, with ~1.9 pawns lost and Bd3 as the better move. Qf3 is an inaccuracy, losing ~0.9 pawns, again with Bd3 better. Nc3 is also an inaccuracy, losing ~1.0 pawns, with Bd3 the preferred move. For your drill, that means White’s aggressive-looking moves are not always the most precise, and Black should stay alert for chances to punish loose play.
Results across 181,405 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bd3 | 70,198 | 57.4% |
| f3 | 38,050 | 46.1% |
| Nf3 | 21,934 | 56.6% |
| Qf3 | 10,768 | 54.2% |
| Nc3 | 6,596 | 52.3% |
| Qe2 | 6,287 | 53.2% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe, Vavra Defense good for Black?
In this exact position, the engine gives White a clear advantage with +1.20. So Black is not better here and must defend carefully. The line is playable as a practical challenge, but it is not an easy equaliser.
What is the best move for Black in this position?
The engine’s best move is Ne2. The suggested continuation is Ne2 f6 Nf4 g6, which is the main defensive route to remember in the drill. It is a useful starting point for learning how to handle White’s pressure.
Which White move is most common here?
Bd3 is the most-played continuation, appearing in 70,198 games. It is also the most important move to be ready for because it is by far the commonest choice in the database. White also scores well with it, so Black should know the position after it especially well.
Which White moves are mistakes or inaccuracies?
The database marks f3 as a mistake, while Qf3 and Nc3 are inaccuracies. In each case, Bd3 is listed as the better move. That makes these natural-looking tries important to recognise when you play the drill.
How many games feature the Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe, Vavra Defense?
Over 181K Lichess games have reached the Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe, Vavra Defense position. White wins 53.9%, Black wins 43.1%, with 3.0% draws — based on real rated games.