Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe & Vavra Defense

Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe Variation

Definition

The Mokele Mbembe (a.k.a. Brooklyn or Yanev) Variation is an adventurous sideline of the Alekhine Defense that starts: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Bc4. Instead of the usual 4.c4 (Four-Pawns) or 4.Nf3 (Modern), White posts the bishop on the long a2–g8 diagonal, immediately targeting the vulnerable f7-square. Its name—borrowed from a mythical Congolese saurian—hints at the line’s untamed, surprise-weapon character.

Typical Continuation

One frequently seen sequence is: 4…Nb6 5.Bb3 dxe5 6.Qh5 e6 7.dxe5 c5, after which both sides must navigate a sharp imbalance of lead in development versus pawn structure.

Strategic Themes

• Pressure on f7: Moves such as 4.Bc4 and 6.Qh5 create concrete mating threats that can punish the unprepared.
• Development vs. material: White is often ready to give up the c-pawn (and sometimes more) for rapid piece play.
• Psychological edge: Because the line is rare, it drags opponents away from booked-up Alekhine theory.

Illustrative Miniature (10 moves)

Historical & Anecdotal Notes

• The variation was explored in the 1990s by New-York players at the “Brooklyn 64” club and later analyzed by Bulgarian IM Miodrag Yanev.
• Its zoological nickname joins a menagerie of colorful chess openings such as the “Frankenstein-Dracula” and the “Hedgehog.”

Alekhine Defense: Vavra Defense

Definition

The Vavra Defense is an extreme retreat line in which Black voluntarily returns the knight to its home square: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Ng8. Named after Czech master František Vavra (1920s), it hands White a free tempo yet claims that the advanced e-pawn will later become a target.

Strategic Ideas

• Provocation: Black invites an over-extended pawn center, planning …d6, …c5 or …f6 to undermine it.
• Surprise value: 2…Ng8 shocks opponents expecting 2…Nd5 and can burn off significant clock time in practical play.
• Hypermodern spirit: Like Alekhine’s original concept, the knight’s dance tempts White to occupy the center before it is attacked.

Model Line

A sensible set-up for both sides is 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 dxe5 5.Nxe5 Nd7 6.Nf3 Ngf6, after which the game can resemble a Pirc/Modern structure.

Example Game (Prague 1925, casual)

Interesting Facts

• The ECO classifies 2…Ng8 as B02 but flags it as “irregular.” Engines rate the position ≈ +0.8 for White, yet human scores are far closer due to unfamiliarity.
• GM Sergey Shipov has occasionally wheeled out 2…Ng8 in online blitz, proving that even top players value shock tactics.
• Because Black re-sets the opening position after only two moves, some commentators jokingly call it the “Boomerang Knight.”