Chessy
Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack as White
The Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack starts with an early space grab, and the position after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4 is the one you want to understand well. Here White has a small edge, but Black’s most natural reply is also the critical one you must know. This page helps you spot the main ideas, punish the common inaccuracies, and then practise the position in the drill below until the moves feel automatic.
Play the Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack against the engine
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Play the drill and test your move choices against the engine. Create a free account to track your progress and repeat the position until it feels natural.
Create a free account →What this position is really about
After 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4, White has taken space and asked the knight a direct question. The position is already sharp, but it is not a free win: you still need good moves and a clear plan. The key practical idea is to keep the extra space useful, not loose. Use your space to make Black’s knight uncomfortable, build your centre, and stay ready for active development rather than drifting into slow play.
The move Black usually chooses
Stockfish rates this +0.63, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly better here. The engine’s best move is Nb6, and the listed engine continuation is Nb6 d4 d6 f4. In practice, this is the reply you should expect most often, so the drill focuses on handling it cleanly and continuing to use your space without overextending.
What the database says
This exact position has been reached in 2,322,525 games on Lichess, so there is plenty of practical experience behind it. White wins 49.8%, draws 3.5%, and Black wins 46.7%. The most-played continuation is Nb6 in 2,092,138 games, which shows that Black players overwhelmingly choose the engine’s top idea. The position is playable for both sides, but White’s results are slightly better overall.
Common errors to punish
The database also shows several moves you should be ready for, and the weak ones are very clear. Nf4 is an inaccuracy, losing about 1.0 pawns; Nb4 is an inaccuracy, losing about 0.7 pawns; and e6 is a blunder, losing about 3.1 pawns. The move d6 and Nc6 both score well for White in the database, so you should still respond with care if Black chooses them. In practical terms, do not relax just because Black has deviated from the main line.
How to use the drill
This is a good opening position to practise because the best reply is known, the mistakes are well defined, and the evaluation is already slightly in your favour. Your job is to play confidently as White, keep the initiative of the extra space, and avoid giving Black easy activity. In the drill, try to recognise the main reply quickly, then compare your choices with the engine’s answer and the common continuations.
Results across 2,322,525 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nb6 | 2,092,138 | 48.5% |
| Nf4 | 107,205 | 62.2% |
| Nb4 | 102,032 | 57.7% |
| e6 | 8,577 | 73.2% |
| d6 | 6,156 | 76.7% |
| Nc6 | 1,969 | 76.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack good for White?
In this position, White has a small edge. Stockfish gives +0.63, and the database also shows White scoring a little better overall than Black.
What is Black’s best reply here?
The engine’s best move is Nb6. The listed best continuation is Nb6 d4 d6 f4, so that is the main line you should be ready for in the drill.
Which moves should I watch out for?
Nf4 and Nb4 are both marked as inaccuracies, and e6 is a blunder. The safest practical habit is to expect Black to choose Nb6 and to stay alert if they move away from it.
Why train this opening position with White?
It is a useful test of space advantage and move-order understanding. You get to practise a position that appears very often and learn how to handle the most common reply without losing your edge.
How many games feature the Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack?
Over 2 million Lichess games have reached the Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack position. White wins 49.8%, Black wins 46.7%, with 3.5% draws — based on real rated games.