Alekhine: 4.c4 Nb6

Before the first move

The Alekhine Defense is a provocative opening where Black lures White's center pawns forward, hoping they become overextended and weak. In this line, White accepts the challenge, building a massive pawn center to cramp Black's pieces. It is a battle between space and stability.

1. e4White · your move

Push your pawn to e4. This classic opening move claims the center and opens pathways for your queen and light-squared bishop. You are setting the stage for an open game where piece activity and central control will be your primary goals.

1... Nf6Black

Black plays Nf6, entering the Alekhine Defense. Instead of meeting e4 with a pawn, Black uses a piece to provoke White. While rare moves like f6 (Barnes) or g5 (Borg) are considered weak, this knight jump is a respected hypermodern weapon designed to disrupt White's center.

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

2. e5White · your move

Push your pawn to e5. You must punish the knight's intrusion by gaining space and forcing it to move again. This move gains a tempo and restricts Black's kingside options, though you must be prepared to defend this advanced pawn later.

Other paths here: Nf3 (John Tracy Gambit) · Bc4 (Alekhine Defense: Krejcik Variation) · d3 (Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation) · Nc3 (Alekhine: Scandinavian Variation)

2... Nd5Black

Black replies Nd5, the main line. The knight finds a home in the heart of the board. Black could retreat with Ng8 (Brooklyn Variation), but that is extremely passive. The sharp Ne4 (Mokele Mbembe) is a wild alternative that leads to immediate tactical complications.

Other paths here: Ng8 (Alekhine Defense: Brooklyn Variation) · Ne4 (Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe)

3. d4White · your move

Slide your d-pawn to d4. You are building a formidable wall in the center, supporting your e5 pawn and preparing your dark-squared bishop for action. This solidifies your space advantage and prepares to challenge the knight on d5.

Other paths here: Na3 (Alekhine Defense: Buckley Attack) · Nc3 (Alekhine Defense: Sämisch Attack) · c4 (Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack) · b3 (Alekhine Defense: Welling Variation)

3... d6Black

Black strikes back with d6, the standard reaction to White's center. Black needs to breathe, and this move challenges the e5 pawn directly. Other tries like the O'Sullivan Gambit with b5 or the Wall Variation with c5 are much riskier and less common.

Other paths here: b5 (Alekhine Defense: O'Sullivan Gambit) · c5 (Wall Variation, Alekhine)

4. c4White · your move

Push your pawn to c4. You are continuing your expansion by attacking the knight on d5. This move signals your intent to maintain a massive space advantage, forcing the knight to move for a third time in just seven plies.

Other paths here: Bc4 (Alekhine Defense: Balogh Variation) · exd6 (Alekhine: 3.d4 d6 4.exd6) · Nf3 (Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation)

4... Nb6Black

Black retreats the knight to b6. The opening phase is nearly over, and the lines are drawn. White has a huge center and more space, but Black has no weaknesses and is ready to chip away at those advanced pawns from the flanks.

Where you stand

The position is a classic struggle between space and counter-pressure. White will try to maintain the center with f4 and Nc3, while Black will use g6 and Bg7 to pressure d4. Both sides must be careful; White's pawns can become a crushing force or a target for destruction.

• f2-f4 Reinforce the e5 pawn and gain more space.
• b1-c3 Develop the knight to defend the d4 pawn.
• g7-g6 Prepare to fianchetto the bishop to pressure d4.
• f8-g7 Place the bishop on the long diagonal.
• d6-e5 Trade pawns to open the center for pieces.