Alekhine: Modern Variation 5.Be2 e6 6.O-O

Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation – 5.Be2 e6 6.O-O

Definition

The sequence 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 dxe5 5.Be2 e6 6.O-O defines the Modern Variation of the Alekhine Defense, specifically the line in which White plays the modest developing move 5.Be2 before castling, and Black replies with the consolidating 5…e6 followed by normal development. The position after 6.O-O is the tabiya (starting position) for this branch.

How It Is Used in Play

Both sides have reached a relatively quiet but unbalanced middlegame:

• White’s Aims
  • Complete development rapidly (Be2, O-O).
  • Maintain the central pawn chain e5–d4, which restricts Black’s knight on d5.
  • Prepare c4 to chase the knight, or c3 & Re1 to support the pawn chain.
• Black’s Aims
  • Challenge the center with …c5 or …dxe5 (already played) and …Nc6.
  • Exploit the temporary lead in development on the queenside (…Be7, …O-O, …c5).
  • Target White’s e-pawn once the position opens.

Strategic & Historical Significance

Whereas the older Classical plan (5.Nxe5) immediately dissolves central tension, 5.Be2 keeps pieces on the board and introduces strategic complexity. It was Vasily Smyslov and later Viktor Korchnoi who made the line fashionable in top-level play during the 1960s–70s, offering an alternative to the sharper 5.Nc3.

The move 5…e6 is a modern antidote: Black declines immediate confrontation and instead mirrors French-type setups, hoping to strike at d4 with …c5 once development is complete.

Typical Plans

1. White breaks with c4: 7.c4 Nb6 8.Nc3 aiming for d5 space.
2. Maróczy bind-style: 7.c3 followed by Re1, Nbd2, Qc2, maintaining a long-term grip on the dark squares.
3. Black’s French set-up: …Be7, …O-O, …Nd7, …c5, challenging d4.
4. Minor-piece pressure: …Bd6-f4 ideas to exchange bishops and weaken e5.

Illustrative Game

A classical example is Korchnoi’s handling against English GM Tony Miles:

Korchnoi – Miles, Tilburg 1984: Korchnoi demonstrated the latent power of White’s pawn center, eventually converting the space advantage in an ending.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Because Alekhine’s Defense invites White to overextend, the quietly solid 5.Be2 is sometimes nicknamed “the anti-provocation” as White refuses to grab more space prematurely.
• World Champion Magnus Carlsen has used the Modern Variation as Black in rapid events, regarding it as a “French without the bad bishop.”
• In computer engine preference lists, this line scores slightly better for Black than the gambit-like 5.Nc3, making it a favorite in top correspondence play.

Key Take-aways

• The sequence 5.Be2 e6 6.O-O leads to a flexible, strategic battle.
• White strives for harmonious development and central stability.
• Black aims to undermine with …c5 and French-style counterplay.
• Understanding typical pawn breaks (c4, c3, …c5) is more critical than rote memorization.