Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation

Before the first move

The Alekhine Defense is a provocative hypermodern opening where Black invites White's pawns forward to create a large center. The goal is to prove that White's advanced pawns are overextended targets rather than strengths. In the Modern Variation, White avoids the wildest pawn storms in favor of solid, classical development.

1. e4White

White opens with e4, the most popular move in chess. By occupying the center, White prepares for rapid development. While many players meet this with e5 or c5, today we are looking at a more unorthodox response that challenges White's central control immediately.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This is the defining move of the Alekhine Defense, immediately attacking the e4-pawn. You are daring White to push their pawn forward and chase your knight, beginning your strategy of luring the opponent's center into becoming overextended.

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

2. e5White

White plays e5, gaining space and harassing the knight. This is the main line, though White sometimes tries the Scandinavian Variation with Nc3 or the Maróczy with d3. By pushing forward, White claims a spatial advantage but also creates potential weaknesses behind the pawn line.

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

Jump your knight to d5. This is the most active square, centralizing your piece and forcing White to decide how to handle your presence. From d5, your knight is a powerful blockader that cannot be easily ignored, even as White continues their central expansion.

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

3. d4White

White plays d4, establishing a 'Big Center'. This is more solid than the aggressive Four Pawns Attack with c4. Other options like the Buckley Attack with Na3 or the Sämisch with Nc3 are possible, but d4 is the hallmark of the Modern Variation, prioritizing stability over immediate aggression.

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

Push your pawn to d6. You must strike back at the head of White's pawn chain immediately. This move challenges the e5-pawn and opens lines for your light-squared bishop. It is essential to break down White's center before they can fully consolidate their space advantage.

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

4. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, choosing solid development over the more aggressive c4 or the immediate exchange on d6. By bringing the knight out, White protects d4 and prepares to castle. This variation leads to more positional battles where White relies on a space advantage rather than a direct pawn storm.

Other paths here: c4 (Alekhine Defense) · Bc4 (Alekhine Defense: Balogh Variation) · exd6 (Alekhine: 3.d4 d6 4.exd6)

Where you stand

The position is a classic struggle between space and pressure. White enjoys a central clamp and easy development, while Black looks to use the d6 and g6 squares to pressure the e5-pawn. Future play often involves Black fianchettoing the bishop to g7 and White reinforcing the center with c4 and Be2 before castling kingside.

• g7-g6 Prepare to fianchetto the bishop
• f1-e2 Develop bishop and prepare castling
• c2-c4 Challenge the knight on d5
• c8-g4 Pin the knight to undermine e5