Alekhine Defence

The Alekhine Defence begins after 1.e4 Nf6. It is one of Black's most provocative replies to 1.e4, chosen by players who invite White's pawns forward before attacking them later.

  • For black
  • Provocative
  • Hypermodern

Written by:

David Howell
GMDavid Howell2665

The Essentials

Early moves:
1.e4 Nf6
Colour:
Played by Black
Style:
Provocative, risky, hypermodern
Difficulty to learn:
High
Named after:
Alexander Alekhine, the fourth world chess champion, who introduced the opening to top-level tournament practice in 1921.
Trivia:
Chess-lover Napoleon Bonaparte was said to have won a game with the Alekhine Defence in the 19th century.
Variations:
Modern Variation, Exchange Variation, Four Pawns Attack, Two Pawns Attack, Balogh Variation, Brooklyn Defence, Anti-Alekhine
Good for:

Best suited for rating

1000-2400

30015002800

Known for this opening

Alexander Alekhine

Alexander Alekhine

Michael Basman

Michael Basman

Viswanathan Anand

Viswanathan Anand

Michael Adams

Michael Adams

Why play the Alekhine Defence?

Because sometimes you are in a provocative mood.

After 1.e4, Black plays 1...Nf6, immediately attacking White's pawn. White's principled response is 2.e5, gaining space and chasing the knight.

At first glance, Black's play looks strange. The knight moves repeatedly and White gains space for free, but that is exactly the point.

The Alekhine Defence is hypermodern. Black allows White to advance pawns, then tries to prove that the centre is overextended and vulnerable.

White can choose calm Modern lines, stable Exchange structures, or the ambitious Four Pawns Attack. Black must know how to undermine each centre.

The opening is an excellent practical weapon because many 1.e4 players know the Sicilian, French, Caro-Kann, and 1...e5 much more deeply than the Alekhine.

There are real dangers. If Black is too slow, White's space advantage can become overwhelming and the knight can be chased around the board.

The upside is immediate imbalance, psychological surprise value, and rich strategic battles.

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Why the Alekhine Defence is good with the:

All systems go - White often gets the green light to build a large pawn centre and play actively.

Choose your own adventure - White can play slowly with the Modern Variation, safely with the Exchange Variation, or aggressively with the Four Pawns Attack.

Computer comforts - If White is well prepared, the opening should offer a pleasant space advantage.

Suited for - Players who enjoy space, mental responsibility, and proving that Black's provocation is unjustified.

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Strategy

Typical plans, pawn breaks, and key squares.

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Black's typical pawn breaks

d5 and b5

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Asymmetric pawn structure

Attack White's centre before it becomes mobile.

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White's typical pawn breaks

f4-f5, g4-g5-g6, h4-h5-h6.

Traps and tactics

Four traps every Alekhine Defence player should know.

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Themes

Counterattack or suffer

The Alekhine only works if Black attacks the centre energetically.

Knight journey

Black's knight often travels from f6 to d5 and then b6 as it provokes White's pawns forward.

White's centre

Pawns on e5, d4, c4, and f4 can be impressive, but they must be defended.

Essential breaks

Black usually needs ...d6 and ...c5 to challenge e5 and d4 before White's space becomes permanent.

History

From Alekhine's 1921 experiments to Fischer and modern surprise value.

  1. 1921

    AA-powered introduction

    Future world champion Alexander Alekhine unveils his new opening idea at Budapest, using it against Fritz Saemisch and Endre Steiner.

  2. 1921-1950

    Hypermodern disbelief

    The opening is initially viewed as strange and shocking by many classical players, then gradually becomes recognised as playable but provocative.

  3. 1972

    World championship weapon

    Bobby Fischer uses the Alekhine Defence against Boris Spassky in their world championship match, winning the famous game 13.

  4. 1972-2000

    Specialist era

    Players such as Lev Alburt and Viktor Korchnoi help keep the Alekhine alive through fresh ideas and practical experience.

  5. 2020s

    Surprise value

    Modern engines consider the Alekhine playable but risky. It remains a practical surprise weapon, especially in faster time controls.

Model Games

Games that defined the Alekhine Defence.

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FAQ

The Alekhine Defence begins with 1.e4 Nf6. Black attacks the e-pawn, encourages White to advance, and later undermines the centre.

Yes and no. The idea is easy to understand, but Black often gives White a large space advantage and must know the main plans.

It is playable, but not one of Black's safest mainstream replies to 1.e4. As a practical weapon, especially in blitz, it remains useful.

Black provokes White's pawns forward, then attacks the resulting centre with pawn breaks and piece pressure.

The Four Pawns Attack is White's ambitious setup with pawns on e5, d4, c4, and f4. It is dangerous for both sides.

The Exchange Variation involves White capturing on d6 with exd6, releasing central tension and reaching more stable structures.

Alexander Alekhine, Bobby Fischer, Viktor Korchnoi, Vassily Ivanchuk, Hikaru Nakamura, and Magnus Carlsen have all used it.

Choose the Scandinavian if you want a direct and simpler central challenge. Choose the Alekhine if you want provocation, imbalance, and more psychological tension.

Play the Alekhine if you enjoy provoking White, attacking overextended centres, and creating unusual positions from move one.

Alekhine Defence summarized

Colour:
Played by Black
Style:
Provocative, risky, hypermodern
Difficulty to learn:
High
Variations:
Modern Variation, Exchange Variation, Four Pawns Attack, Two Pawns Attack, Balogh Variation, Brooklyn Defence, Anti-Alekhine
Good for:
BlitzRapidClassical

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