Alekhine Defence: Hyper-modern opening

Alekhine Defence

Definition

The Alekhine Defence is a hyper-modern chess opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 Nf6. Black immediately attacks White’s e-pawn with a knight instead of occupying the centre with a pawn. The idea is to tempt White to advance pawns, thereby creating targets that Black will later undermine and counter-attack. It is named after the fourth World Chess Champion, Alexander Alekhine, who introduced it to top-level play in the 1920s.

Typical Move Order & Main Branches

After 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 the opening splits into several major systems:

Classical Variation: 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 (or 4. c4) …
- Modern Line: 4… g6 aiming for a fianchettoed bishop.
- 4… Bg4 old main line, pinning the knight.
Exchange Variation: 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. exd6.
Four Pawns Attack: 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 — White grabs all the space but must hold the centre against breaks …dxe5 or …c5.
Two Pawns Attack: 3. c4 Nb6 4. d4.
3. Nc3!? The Steiner Variation, a flexible sideline avoiding early d-pawns.

Strategic Themes

Provocation: Black invites an over-extended white pawn chain (e5–d4–c4–f4).
Piece Play over Pawn Structure: Knights often manoeuvre to b6, d5, and c6, while bishops target the light-squared pawn wall.
Pawn Breaks: Timely …d6–d5 or …c5 undermine White’s centre.
Endgame Considerations: If the centre collapses, Black may reach endgames with healthier pawn structures and freer pieces.

Historical Significance

Although Alexander Alekhine first used 1…Nf6 against Endre Steiner in Budapest 1921, its popularity has fluctuated. It became a key weapon for grandmasters such as Vassily Smyslov (1950s), Viktor Korchnoi (1970s–80s), Lev Alburt (1980s), and more recently GM Fabiano Caruana, who surprised Magnus Carlsen with it in Wijk aan Zee 2015. Despite being considered “unorthodox,” the Defence remains theoretically sound and keeps appearing as a surprise choice in elite events.

Illustrative Games

Alekhine vs. Endre Steiner, Budapest 1921 — the debut of the opening, ending in a dynamic draw.
Fischer vs. Benko, Candidates 1962 — Bobby Fischer dismantles the Four Pawns Attack, showing Black’s counter-punching potential.
Karpov vs. Miles, Skara 1980 — Miles uses the Modern Line (…g6) to beat the reigning World Champion.

Example Position to Visualise

After 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 g6
the board shows White’s pawns on e5-d4-c4-f4 forming a large but fragile centre, while Black’s pieces eye those pawns from a distance, ready for breaks like …Bg7, …O-O, and …c5.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

Alexander Alekhine supposedly created the line during World War I while analysing in a prisoner-of-war camp.
GM Lev Alburt, a noted practitioner, titled one of his books “The Alekhine for the Tournament Player,” arguing it is perfect for unsettling well-prepared opponents.
The Defence enjoys a cult following in blitz and bullet due to its surprise value and tactical skirmishes.
Because the opening often leads to asymmetrical pawn structures, modern engines rate many positions as “0.00” while humans find them incredibly sharp.

Practical Tips for Players

For White: Decide early between a solid set-up (3. Nc3 or 3. d4 without c4) and the ambitious Four Pawns Attack. Maintain flexibility and watch for …dxe5 or …c5 breaks.
For Black: Develop pieces quickly; do not grab pawns too soon. Aim to strike the centre with …d6-d5 or …c5 only after castling.
Both sides should be comfortable playing with and against isolated or hanging pawns, which often arise from central exchanges.

Alekhine Defence: Hyper-modern opening