Alekhine's Defence: Hypermodern response to 1.e4
Alekhine's Defence
Definition
Alekhine's Defence is a hypermodern response to 1. e4 that begins with 1...Nf6. Black immediately attacks the e4-pawn and invites White to push forward with tempo, aiming to provoke an overextended pawn center that can later be undermined. The opening is named after the fourth World Chess Champion, Alexander Alekhine, who introduced it into top-level practice in the early 1920s.
How it is used in chess
Black uses Alekhine's Defence as a provocative, dynamic weapon to unbalance the game from move one. It often serves as a surprise choice at the club and practical-GM level because it sidesteps many mainstream 1. e4 structures. While relatively rare in contemporary elite classical play, it remains fully playable and can lead to rich, strategic battles with asymmetrical pawn structures.
Strategic ideas and themes
- Provocation and overextension: Black tempts White to advance pawns (e5, d4, c4, f4), creating targets and holes behind the pawn wall.
- Undermining the center: Typical breaks include ...d6 followed by ...dxe5, ...c5 to hit d4/c4, and sometimes ...f6 to challenge e5 in sharper lines.
- Knight maneuvers: After 2. e5 Nd5, Black’s knight often reroutes via b6 and d7 toward c5/e5. The b6-knight eyes c4 and d5 squares; jumps like ...Nb4 followed by ...Nd3 can appear in some variations.
- Piece pressure: ...Bg4 pinning Nf3, ...g6 with fianchetto to pressure the long diagonal, and ...Qc7/...Qa5 ideas to increase pressure on the pawn chain.
- Pawn structures: White’s space advantage vs. Black’s flexibility. If White’s center is successfully challenged, the advanced pawns can become weaknesses; if not, Black may get squeezed.
Main variations
- Four Pawns Attack (most aggressive): 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4. White claims massive space; Black strikes back with ...dxe5, ...Nc6, ...Bf5, and ...c5, aiming to erode the center.
Typical position to visualize: after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4, White’s pawns sit on e5–d4–c4–f4; Black’s knight has retreated to b6 and Black prepares timely breaks.
Illustrative line:
- Exchange Variation: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. exd6 (often met by 5...cxd6). White reduces central tension; Black accepts a d6-pawn and aims for solid development with ...g6, ...Bg7, ...O-O, and breaks with ...e5 or ...d5 later.
- Modern/Alburt Variation: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6. Black fianchettos and adopts a King’s Indian/Modern flavor, challenging the center from a distance. Plans include ...Bg7, ...O-O, ...Nc6, and timely ...Bg4 or ...c5.
- Chase Variation: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 5. Bc4 e6. White gains space on the queenside; Black relies on swift piece play and central counterplay to exploit the loosened dark squares.
Illustrative snippet:
- Two Knights Variation (flexible development): 1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5!? or 2. Nf3 d6. Black can steer into structures resembling the Pirc or Modern, delaying the direct clash in the center.
Typical tactics and motifs
- Central undermining: ...dxe5 followed by ...Nc6 and pressure on d4/e5; ...c5 to attack the d4–c4 chain; occasionally ...f6 against a steadfast e5-pawn.
- Pins and pressure: ...Bg4 pinning Nf3; if White plays h3/g4, the position can become double-edged and targets may appear on the kingside dark squares.
- Knight outposts: Black knights heading to c4/e4/c5 or even d3 in some lines after ...Nb4 ideas; White often seeks Nd5 and strong central outposts if Black mistimes breaks.
- Queen activity: ...Qa5 or ...Qc7 can coordinate with ...Bf5/...Bg4 and ...0-0-0 in sharper sidelines, placing multi-directional pressure on the pawn front.
Historical notes and significance
The defence reflects the principles of Hypermodernism: allow White to build a broad center, then attack and dismantle it. Alexander Alekhine unveiled the idea in top competition in the early 1920s (e.g., games at Budapest 1921), and it has since been cultivated by specialists such as Viktor Korchnoi and Lev Alburt. Although less common in world championship matches of recent decades, it remains a respected fighting choice at all levels.
Model games and references
- Saemisch vs. Alekhine, Budapest, 1921: A pioneering effort showcasing the defence’s core concept of provoking and undermining the center.
- Many practical wins by Lev Alburt (U.S. Championships, 1980s): A modern specialist whose treatment of the Modern/Alburt setups is widely studied.
Practical tips
- For Black:
- Don’t panic when chased: each knight retreat aims to provoke another pawn move you can later attack.
- Time your breaks: ...c5 and ...dxe5 are critical; play them when they open lines for your pieces without ceding too much space.
- Develop harmoniously: quick kingside fianchetto (...g6, ...Bg7) is a reliable scheme against 3. d4 and 4. Nf3.
- For White:
- If you build the big center (e5–d4–c4–f4), support it with pieces and timely advances; don’t let Black chip it away for free.
- Consider quieter lines (Exchange/Modern) if you prefer long-term pressure over immediate aggression.
- Watch your dark squares: space gains often leave holes behind; be ready to meet ...Bg4, ...Nc6, and ...c5.
Examples and visualization
After 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4, imagine White’s pawns on e5–d4–c4–f4 forming a broad wedge into Black’s position; Black’s knight on b6 eyes c4/d5 and Black is ready for ...dxe5 or ...c5 to strike back. One slip by either side can swing the evaluation dramatically.
Interesting facts
- ECO codes: Alekhine’s Defence falls under B02–B05.
- The name is unusual: a world champion lending his name to a provocative defence that invites central pawn storms against himself.
- While computer engines often show 0.00 in balanced lines, the practical complexity is high; studies show it works well as a surprise weapon at nearly all rating levels.