Alekhine's Defense, Scandinavian, Geschev Gambit
Alekhine’s Defense
Definition
Alekhine’s Defense is a hyper-modern response to 1. e4 that begins 1… Nf6. Instead of contesting the centre immediately with pawns, Black tempts White to advance e-pawns and d-pawns, hoping later to undermine and attack the over-extended centre. The opening is named after the fourth World Champion, Alexander Alekhine, who introduced it into top-level practice in the early 1920s.
Typical Move-Order
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6
Other third-move options include 3. Nc3, 3. exd5, and 3. d3, each leading to its own branch of theory (Exchange Variation, Two Pawns Attack, Modern/Maroczy, etc.).
Strategic Ideas for Both Sides
- White: Use the space advantage gained by e4–e5 and d4 to mount a kingside or central attack before Black finishes development.
- Black: Target the advanced e5-pawn, force pawn exchanges with …d6 and …c5, and exploit light-square weaknesses once the centre begins to dissolve.
- Both sides must constantly weigh time versus structure; tempi used to maintain or attack the pawn chain often decide the game.
Historical & Theoretical Significance
Alekhine first played the line against Breyer (Budapest, 1921) and famously used it to beat Endre Steiner at the same tournament. It remained a sideline until the “hyper-modern” ideas of Nimzowitsch and Réti gained acceptance. Bobby Fischer, Lev Alburt, Vassily Smyslov, and more recently Magnus Carlsen have all tried the opening, giving it intermittent bursts of popularity.
Illustrative Example
The game Alburt–Karpov (World Blitz, 1987) shows Alburt grabbing space, only to have Karpov counter in classical style by undermining with …c6 and …dxe5.
Interesting Facts
- Alekhine’s Defense is the only major defense to 1. e4 named after a World Champion who deliberately used it as Black rather than White.
- Because Black voluntarily knights to the rim on move two, “a knight on b6” jokes are commonplace in club commentary.
- In correspondence chess the opening scores close to equality, but in rapid/blitz it is feared for the “theory-tax” it imposes on the unprepared.
Scandinavian Defense (Centre Counter Defense)
Definition
The Scandinavian Defense arises after 1. e4 d5, immediately challenging the e-pawn and forcing an early central exchange. It is one of the oldest recorded openings, appearing in Lucena’s 1497 manuscript.
Main Branches After 1.e4 d5 2.exd5
- 2…Qxd5 – The “Classical” line. After 3.Nc3 Qa5 (or 3…Qd6), Black relies on queen activity and a solid pawn structure.
- 2…Nf6 – The “Modern” or “Portuguese” set-ups, where Black delays recapturing and aims for rapid piece development.
- 2…c6 – The “Icelandic-Palme Gambit” complex: 3.dxc6 Nxc6, sacrificing a pawn for open lines.
Strategic Themes
- Black accepts a slight lead in development for White (particularly after 2…Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5) but obtains a rock-solid pawn centre.
- The early queen sortie can become a target; accurate play is required to avoid time-wasting queen moves.
- Endgames often favour Black because of an un-damaged pawn structure and the exchange of queens that sometimes follows naturally.
Historical Highlights
At top level, the defense received a boost when Bent Larsen used it successfully in the 1960s and 70s. Viswanathan Anand occasionally adopted it in rapid events (e.g., against Adams, Mainz 2007). Magnus Carlsen employed it in his World Championship match preparation, citing its “practical surprise value.”
Model Game
Gelfand – Kasparov, Linares 1991:
Kasparov’s energetic queenside castling underscores Black’s dynamic possibilities even after early queen adventures.
Trivia
- The line 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.d4 Bg4 is colloquially known as the “Portuguese Gambit,” reflecting its popularity among Portuguese masters in the 1950s.
- Because it is one of the few 1…d5 replies to 1.e4, beginners sometimes confuse the Scandinavian with Queen’s Pawn openings.
Geschev Gambit
Definition
The Geschev Gambit is an aggressive branch of the Modern Scandinavian Defense, arising after:
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 c6!? 4. dxc6 Nxc6
Black deliberately sacrifices a pawn to accelerate development and contest the dark squares. The gambit is named after Bulgarian master Nikola Geschev, who analysed and played the line extensively in Eastern-European tournaments during the 1980s.
Strategic Objectives
- Black: Exploit the half-open d- and c-files, pressure the d4-pawn with …Bg4, …e5, and rapid castling, and use the extra piece activity to generate tactical chances.
- White: Consolidate the extra pawn, neutralise Black’s initiative, and aim for exchanges that reduce attacking potential.
Critical Continuations
- 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.c3 e5 – Black breaks in the centre while pinning the knight.
- 5.c3 e5 6.Nf3 (or 6.Bb5) exd4 7.cxd4 Bb4+ leading to sharp play reminiscent of the Danish Gambit in reverse.
- 5.Be3 Nd5 6.c4 Nxe3 7.fxe3 e5 8.Nf3 exd4 9.exd4 – White retains material but must watch the weakened light squares.
Example Game
Geschev – Topalov (Bulgarian Championship, 1989)
Although White kept the extra pawn, Black’s pieces teem with activity; the game was eventually drawn after a perpetual check.
Historical Notes & Anecdotes
- The gambit first appeared in the North Sea Cup, Varna 1984, where Geschev surprised several IMs with back-to-back wins in under 30 moves.
- While never fully mainstream, the line is a favourite of attacking players in online blitz because it avoids the heavily analysed 3…Qxd5 systems and immediately poses practical problems.
- Computer engines evaluate the starting position roughly +0.60 for White at depth 30, yet over-the-board results hover close to 50% for Black, highlighting its psychological impact.
Practical Tips
- If you play White and wish to sidestep the gambit, consider 3.Nf3 instead of 3.d4; after 3…c6 4.dxc6 Nxc6, the extra pawn cannot be won.
- Black players should memorise concrete tactics in the 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.c3 e5 line; many games are decided by a single missed tactic on the e- or d-files.