Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation
Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation
Definition
The Modern Variation of the Alekhine Defense is a branch of the hyper-modern opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6. Instead of immediately challenging White’s broad center with …dxe5 or …Bg4, Black delays direct contact and fianchettoes the kingside bishop to g7, exerting long-range pressure on the central light squares.
How It Is Used in Play
• The line is chosen by players who are comfortable with slightly provocative, counter-punching positions. • Black aims to entice White into over-extending the pawn mass (pawns on e5 and d4) and later strike back with pawn breaks such as …c5, …dxe5, or …Nb6–c6. • White, on the other hand, usually tries to maintain the space advantage, mobilize the center with c4 or f4, and exploit Black’s temporary lack of piece activity.
Typical Move Orders
- 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. c4 Nb6 6. exd6 cxd6 – Classical Modern.
- 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 – The Larsen Line, aiming for a quick kingside attack.
- 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. h3 – Korchnoi’s prophylactic treatment against …Bg4.
Strategic Themes
- Hyper-modern counter-attack: Black allows White to build an imposing pawn center, then undermines it.
- Fianchetto pressure: The bishop on g7 eyes the e5-pawn and the a1–h8 diagonal, combining with …c5 to challenge d4.
- Flexible knight maneuvering: The knight often re-routes Nb6–c6 or Nb6–d7–b6 to hit c4 and e5.
- Delayed clarification: By postponing …dxe5, Black keeps tension and avoids releasing central pressure too early.
Historical Significance
The Alekhine Defense (1…Nf6) was introduced into top-level practice by the fourth World Champion Alexander Alekhine in the early 1920s. The Modern Variation itself blossomed in the 1950s and 1960s, when grandmasters like Yefim Geller and Viktor Korchnoi refined the idea of …g6 and a kingside fianchetto. Its strategic richness has ensured periodic revivals—most notably by English GM Michael Adams and American GM Fabiano Caruana, who both used it successfully at elite level.
Illustrative Game
Petrosian – Geller, Candidates 1962
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 Bg7 7. Qe2 O-O
8. h3 Nc6 9. O-O Na5 10. Nc3 – Black met Petrosian’s
calm buildup with typical Modern ideas, later breaking with …c5 and
outplaying the future world champion in the endgame.
Example Position
After the sequence 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. h3 Bg7 6. c4
Nb6 7. exd6 cxd6, the pawn structure is:
• White: Pawns a2 b2 c4 d4 f2 g2 h3; Knights b1 f3; Bishop c1; Bishop f1;
Queen d1; Rooks a1 h1; King e1.
• Black: Pawns a7 b7 c6 d6 f7 g6 h7; Knights b6 f6; Bishop c8; Bishop g7;
Queen d8; Rooks a8 h8; King g8.
Black is ready for …Nc6, …Bf5 or …Be6, putting constant pressure on c4 and
d4 while waiting for an opportune moment to strike at e5.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Cold-war duel: The variation played a starring role in the razor-sharp encounters between Soviet heavyweights Geller and Korchnoi; each tried to surprise the other with new nuances in Candidates matches.
- Psychological weapon: Because 1…Nf6 invites White to advance early, Modern Variation advocates often enjoy facing aggressive opponents who think they have the initiative, only to discover the center collapsing later on.
- Engine approval: While early computer analyses once dismissed the Alekhine as dubious, modern neural-network engines give the Modern Variation near-equal evaluations, boosting its popularity in rapid and blitz events.
- Blitz favorite: Hikaru Nakamura has employed the line in online speed chess, appreciating its imbalance and surprise value.
Summary of Key Points
- Starts with 1…Nf6 2…Nd5 3…d6 4…g6; Black fianchettoes the bishop.
- Hyper-modern: invites White center, then undermines it.
- Idea: …Bg7, …c5, and flexible knights to attack d4 e5.
- Historically refined by Geller and Korchnoi; still played today.
- Suitable for players who relish asymmetrical, strategic battles.