The Kmoch Variation is a variation of the Alekhine Defense, catalogued as ECO B02. The line runs 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Bc4 Nb6 4. Bb3 c5 5. d3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the Alekhine Defense generally: A provocative defense where Black invites White to advance pawns, then attacks the overextended center.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 23 Alekhine Defense variations →
The Kmoch Variation goes 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Bc4 Nb6 4. Bb3 c5 5. d3. It is a variation of the Alekhine Defense and is catalogued as ECO B02.
The Kmoch Variation 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. Bc4 Nb6 4. Bb3 c5 5. d3 at +0.01 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.