Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation

Before the first move

The Hunt Variation of the Alekhine Defense is an aggressive attempt by White to crush the Black position immediately. Instead of standard development, White pushes a wall of pawns forward to harass the knight and cramp Black's space. Black must play precisely to undermine this overextended center before being suffocated.

1. e4White

White opens with e4, the King's Pawn Opening. By controlling d5 and f5, White prepares a rapid development of the kingside. You have many choices here, ranging from the solid e5 or c5 to the provocative Nf6.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This is the signature of the Alekhine Defense. You are intentionally inviting White to push their pawns forward, hoping to prove that they will become overextended and weak later in the game.

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

2. e5White

White plays e5, the most ambitious response. Rather than defending with Nc3 or d3, White accepts the challenge to chase the knight. You must now find a safe haven for your knight, as retreating to g8 would be a major concession.

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

2... Nd5Black · your move

Centralize your knight on d5. This is the most active square, placing the knight in the heart of the board where it cannot be easily ignored. From here, the knight eyes the c3 and f4 squares.

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

3. d4White

White plays d4, establishing a formidable presence in the center. You will see many variations here, such as the Two Pawns Attack with c4 or the more restrained Sämisch Attack with Nc3, but d4 remains the most solid foundation.

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 · your move

Challenge the lead pawn with d6. You cannot allow White to keep a permanent clamp on e5. This move prepares to open lines for your pieces and begins the process of chipping away at the white center.

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

4. c4White

White plays c4, expanding the pawn wall further. This leads toward the Four Pawns Attack or the Modern Variation if White chooses Nf3 later. You must move your knight again, typically toward the queenside to stay active.

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

4... Nb6Black · your move

Relocate your knight to b6. While the knight is temporarily pushed to the edge, it remains safe and continues to put pressure on the c4 and d4 pawns. You are waiting for the right moment to strike.

5. c5White

White plays the aggressive c5, the defining move of the Hunt Variation. This is far more direct than the Exchange Variation or the Four Pawns Attack. You must now decide how to handle the tension in the center before White's pawns crash through.

Other paths here: exd6 (Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation) · f4 (Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack) · Nf3 (Alekhine: 4.c4 Nb6 5.Nf3)

Where you stand

The position is extremely sharp. White has pushed pawns deep into Black's territory, creating a space advantage but leaving behind potential weaknesses. Black will look to trade pawns on c5 and d4 to open lines for the bishops, while White aims to use the cramped Black position to launch a direct kingside attack or maintain a permanent bind.

• d6-c5 Capture on c5 to dissolve the pawn wall
• b6-d5 Return the knight to the central d5 square
• c1-g5 Develop the bishop to pin the kingside
• f2-f4 Push f4 to further bolster the center