Alekhine's Defence, Chase Variation

Alekhine's Defence

Definition

Alekhine’s Defence is an asymmetrical reply to 1. e4 that begins 1…Nf6. Black immediately attacks the e-pawn, inviting it to advance and thereby trying to provoke over-extension in White’s centre. The ECO codes are B02–B05.

Typical Move-order

The “classical” four-move sequence is:

• 1. e4 Nf6
• 2. e5 Nd5
• 3. d4 d6
• 4. Nf3 (or 4. c4) …

From move three onward the game can branch into several independent systems—Exchange, Four Pawns, Modern, Balogh, Chase, and others.

How It Is Used

Black employs Alekhine’s to:

• Dislodge the white e-pawn and lure it forward to e5 or even e6.
• Undermine that advanced pawn later with …d6, …c5 and piece pressure.
• Create an unbalanced, strategic fight where early piece activity substitutes for classical central occupation.

White decides whether to maintain the broad centre (Four Pawns or Chase Variation), liquidate it (Exchange Variation), or develop quietly (Modern Variation).

Strategic Themes

1. Over-extension vs. solidity: White’s pawns gain space; Black targets them.
2. Dark-square play: Because the e- and d-pawns often advance, holes appear on d4, e4, and c5 squares.
3. Piece activity first, pawn breaks later: The black knight manoeuvres (f6–d5–b6–d7) while Black prepares pawn thrusts …dxe5, …c5, or …e6.

Historical Significance

The opening is named after World Champion Alexander Alekhine, who unveiled it at Budapest 1921 against Endre Steiner and Fritz Sämisch—winning both games. It shocked contemporaries by flouting the classical creed of occupying the centre with pawns. Although never completely mainstream, it has been a dangerous surprise weapon used by:

• Viktor Korchnoi (especially in the 1970s Candidates matches)
• Mihail Suba, Vassily Ivanchuk, and Magnus Carlsen (occasional)
• Computer engines, which often consider 1…Nf6 sound and dynamic

Illustrative Mini-Game

This short sample shows typical ideas: the advanced e-pawn, the roaming black knight, and the impending counter-break …c5.

Famous Games

• Karpov – Miles, Bugojno 1980: A positional squeeze where Miles equalised comfortably and eventually outplayed the former World Champion.
• Korchnoi – Timman, Candidates 1977: Black’s resilience in the Four Pawns Attack highlighted the defence’s counter-punching potential.
• Carlsen – Morozevich, Wijk aan Zee 2007: Demonstrated modern engine-influenced tweaks in the Exchange Variation.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• When Alekhine played it in 1921, Siegbert Tarrasch reportedly exclaimed that Black must be “lost by force” after the very first move.
• The knight’s early wanderings (f6–d5–b6–d7) caused British fans to nickname it “the touristic defence.”
• Engine statistics show a healthy 49–51 % score for Black in blitz and bullet, reflecting its tricky, tactical character.

Chase Variation

Definition

The Chase Variation is an aggressive branch of Alekhine’s Defence in which White repeatedly harasses the black knight with pawns, starting:

• 1. e4 Nf6
• 2. e5 Nd5
• 3. c4 Nb6
• 4. c5 Nd5
• 5. Bc4 (or 5. d4)

White’s c-pawn “chases” the knight, hoping to gain massive space and cramp Black’s position.

Practical Usage

The variation appears chiefly in club and rapid play because:

• It surprises opponents unfamiliar with the atypical pawn structure.
• White obtains a clear spatial edge and simple plan: advance pawns, attack kingside.
• Black must know specific manoeuvres (…d6, …Nc6, …e6, …f6) to exploit the advanced c- and e-pawns.

Strategic Features

1. Space vs. targets: White controls d6 and e6 squares but leaves c5 and e5 pawns vulnerable to blockade or undermining.
2. Piece placement: The bishop on c4 eyes f7; Black often castles queenside or delays castling.
3. Pawn breaks: Critical counter-shots for Black are …d6, …dxe5, …c6–cxd5, and sometimes …b6 undermining c5.

Key Line with Ideas

After 9…d6, Black strikes at the pawn chain; if 10. cxd6 cxd6, the b8-knight can head for c6 and b4, hitting d3 and c2.

Model Games

• V. Korchnoi – O. Uhlmann, Buenos Aires 1960: White demonstrated a strong attack but Uhlmann’s timely …f6 break equalised.
• S. Mamedyarov – A. Grischuk, Internet Blitz 2020: Modern engines showed resourceful knight hops (…Nc6–e7–f5) punishing over-extended pawns.

Historical Note

The name “Chase” does not reference a particular player; it literally signifies the chase of the black knight by the c-pawn. Early examples can be found in the 1920s, but the line gained theoretical attention only in the 1960s when correspondence players explored it deeply.

Interesting Tidbits

• The position after 5…e6 leaves Black’s knight on d5 en prise to 6. Bxd5 exd5—a voluntary structural damage that engines nowadays consider fully playable.
• Grandmaster Simon Williams once called 3. c4 “the caveman move,” and the full Chase Variation “caveman squared.”
• Several gambit lines—such as 6. Nc3 Nxc3 7. bxc3—lead to pawn majorities on each flank and radically unbalanced endgames.

When to Choose It

Select the Chase Variation when you:

• Enjoy attacking with space and are comfortable defending backward pawns later.
• Face an opponent who relies heavily on theoretical main lines of the Modern or Exchange Variations.
• Play rapid, blitz, or correspondence and can prepare computer-checked novelties in niche positions.