ECO B02
Alekhine Defense
Also known as: Alekhine’s Defence
The Alekhine Defense, 1.e4 Nf6, is a hypermodern provocation: Black invites White to chase the knight with e5, d4 and c4, then targets the advanced pawns from the flanks. It trades early space for the chance to prove White has overreached.
1. e4 Nf6
Strategic ideas
Alekhine's Defense begins with the provocative 1...Nf6, attacking White's e-pawn and inviting it to advance. It is a hypermodern opening: instead of occupying the centre with pawns, Black deliberately provokes White into building a large pawn front, intending to attack and undermine it later. The knight is chased around the board while Black develops behind the scenes and prepares to strike at the overextended pawns.
The strategic gamble is clear. If White's advanced pawns prove strong and well supported, Black may end up cramped and passive; if they become overextended, Black's pressure against them yields active piece play and counterattack. The opening is named after the fourth world champion, Alexander Alekhine, who helped introduce it to top-level practice.
Main variations
After 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 White must decide how far to push. The Four Pawns Attack with 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 is the most ambitious, erecting a huge pawn centre that Black then targets with ...dxe5 and piece pressure. The Modern Variation 4.Nf3 is more restrained, aiming to keep a stable space advantage without overcommitting.
The Exchange Variation, where White plays c4 and later exchanges on d6, gives a clearer structure and a modest but lasting spatial edge. Throughout these lines Black's play revolves around the same ideas: challenge the centre with ...d6 and ...c5 or ...f6, provoke weaknesses, and complete development, often with the fianchetto ...g6 and ...Bg7 bearing down on the long diagonal.
Key ideas
- 1...Nf6 provokes White's pawns forward in true hypermodern style
- Black invites a big centre in order to attack it later
- The knight is chased to d5 and often b6 while Black develops
- White's overextension is the target; ...d6 and ...c5 undermine the centre
- The gamble balances Black's counterplay against the risk of being cramped
- The opening is named after world champion Alexander Alekhine
Typical plans
White
- Advance with e5 and d4 to gain space and chase the knight
- Choose the ambitious Four Pawns Attack for a maximal pawn centre
- Prefer the Modern Variation with Nf3 for a stable, controlled edge
- Support the advanced pawns and convert space into a lasting bind
- Exchange on d6 to simplify into a structure with more room
Black
- Provoke White's pawns forward, then attack them with ...d6 and ...c5
- Use ...dxe5 and piece pressure to strike at an overextended centre
- Reroute the knight to b6 and develop actively behind the front
- Fianchetto with ...g6 and ...Bg7 to pressure the long diagonal
- Aim for counterattack if White overcommits, or solid play if not