Alekhine Defense

Before the first move

The Alekhine Defense is a provocative and hypermodern strategy where Black invites White's central pawns forward to attack them later. Instead of occupying the center immediately, you allow White to build an impressive-looking space advantage while you prepare to chip away at its foundation.

1. e4White

White plays e4, the most popular starting move, seizing the center and preparing rapid development. While you will respond with the Alekhine, Black has many alternatives like the solid e5, the fighting c5 Sicilian, or the sturdy c6 Caro-Kann, all leading to vastly different pawn structures.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This move immediately attacks the e4 pawn and dares White to push it forward. You are initiating the Alekhine Defense, inviting a chase that will eventually leave White's overextended center vulnerable to your counterattacks.

Other paths here: f6 (Barnes Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense) · h6 (Carr Defense) · f5 (Duras Gambit)

Where you stand

The battle is just beginning as White will likely push e5 to harass your knight. White aims for a massive pawn center with moves like c4 and d4, while Black will look to undermine those pawns using d6 and c5. Success depends on whether White's space is a strength or a target.

• e4-e5 White pushes forward to kick the knight
• f6-d5 The knight finds a central home on d5
• d2-d4 White establishes a strong classical pawn center
• d7-d6 Black strikes back at the overextended center