Alekhine Defense

The idea

After 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5, Black's knight is chased around the board, but every pawn White pushes is one more pawn that can be attacked. Black follows up with ...d6 to challenge e5, then develops and hits the center from the sides.

White has several ways to play. The Four Pawns Attack, with c4, d4, e5 and f4, grabs as much space as possible and dares Black to break it. The Exchange Variation swaps on d6 for a calmer game. The Modern Variation, 4.Nf3, is the most common: White keeps a smaller center and develops quickly.

Provocative and full of ideas. It breaks the old rule about not moving the same piece twice, and it leads to positions most opponents have not studied. It is named after Alexander Alekhine, a world champion who played it in the 1920s.

Players who enjoy surprising the opponent and who are happy to defend a cramped position for a while. It rewards understanding of pawn structures.

Your knight has few safe squares early on. Before each knight move, check whether a pawn push like c4 or c5 can trap it.

The main line, move by move

1. 1.e4 · White takes space in the center with a pawn and opens lines for the queen and the king's bishop. It is the most popular first move.
2. 1...Nf6 · Black attacks the pawn on e4 with a knight instead of claiming the center. This is the Alekhine Defense: Black invites the pawns forward and plans to attack them later.
3. 2.e5 · White accepts the invitation and pushes the pawn, driving the knight away and gaining space. The pawn on e5 now needs support, and Black will keep testing it.
4. 2...Nd5 · The knight steps into the center instead of going home. From d5 it stays active and can drop back to b6 whenever a pawn comes to c4.
5. 3.d4 · White supports the pawn on e5 and builds a broad center. This is the calm choice: White takes the space on offer without rushing the pawns too far forward.
6. 3...d6 · Black strikes at the pawn on e5 right away, the natural plan against White's center. Trading on e5 would open the d-file and give Black's pieces more room.
7. 4.Nf3 · White develops the knight and guards e5 a second time. This is the Modern Variation, the most common setup: a solid center and natural development.

Next moves in book

• 2.Nc3
• 2.d3 · Maróczy Variation
• 2.e5
• 2.Bc4 · Krejcik Variation

Related openings

• Sicilian Defense B20–B99 · 327 named lines
• French Defense C00–C19 · 171 named lines
• Caro-Kann Defense B10–B19 · 92 named lines
• Modern Defense A04–B27 · 37 named lines