Theoria
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Alekhine Defense

Kmoch Variation

B02offbeatpositional

  1. 1.e4Nf6
  2. 2.e5Nd5
  3. 3.Bc4Nb6
  4. 4.Bb3c5
  5. 5.d3
348 games49%47%

A rare Alekhine Defense line in which White develops the bishop with 3. Bc4 and meets ...c5 with d3, reaching a balanced, lightly explored position.

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About the Kmoch Variation

The Kmoch Variation of the Alekhine Defense develops White's king's bishop with 3. Bc4 instead of building a pawn center with d4. After 3...Nb6 4. Bb3 c5, Black gains queenside space and threatens ...c4 against the bishop. White's 5. d3 forestalls that advance and opens the c1-bishop. The usual reply is 5...Nc6, adding pressure on e5, while 5...d5 has scored well for Black. Engines rate the position as balanced, and the line is seldom played.

Popular continuations