The Hunt Variation, Mikenas Gambit is a variation of the Alekhine Defense, catalogued as ECO B02. The line runs 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 5. Bc4 e6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nxd5 exd5 8. Bxd5, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e5, and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after eight moves.
On the Alekhine Defense generally: A provocative defense where Black invites White to advance pawns, then attacks the overextended center.
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The Hunt Variation, Mikenas Gambit goes 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 5. Bc4 e6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nxd5 exd5 8. Bxd5. It is a variation of the Alekhine Defense and is catalogued as ECO B02.
The Hunt Variation, Mikenas Gambit is ECO B02. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Alekhine Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 5. Bc4 e6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nxd5 exd5 8. Bxd5 at +0.40 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on e5, and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move.