Hungarian Opening: Reversed Alekhine

Hungarian Opening: Reversed Alekhine

Definition

The Hungarian Opening: Reversed Alekhine refers to the sequence beginning with 1. g3 (typically followed by 2. Bg2 and 3. e4). White fianchettoes the king’s bishop, then challenges the center with an early e-pawn advance, recreating the structure of the Alekhine Defense (1. e4 Nf6) but with colors reversed and an extra tempo. The term “Hungarian” honors early 20th-century Budapest pioneers such as Gyula Breyer, while “Reversed Alekhine” highlights the mirrored strategic idea.

Typical Move Order

1. g3    Nf6
2. Bg2  d5
3. Nf3  c6
4. O-O  Bg4
5. d3  Nbd7
6. Nbd2  e5
7. e4  dxe4
8. dxe4  Be7

After 7–8 moves the game exactly echoes an Alekhine Defense structure—but with White enjoying the extra tempo granted by moving first.

Strategic Themes

• Hypermodern Approach. White permits Black’s central pawn presence only to undermine it later with c4 or e4.
• Flexibility. Because neither c-pawn nor queenside knight is committed early, transpositions into King’s Indian Attack, Catalan-like, or even Pirc structures are frequent.
• Tempo Advantage. Compared with Black’s Alekhine Defense, White has already developed the g2-bishop, giving added bite to the central break e4–e5.
• Low Theory Load. The opening is more about understanding plans and structures than memorizing forcing lines—appealing to creative players.

Historical Notes

Lajos Portisch, László Szabó, and later Judit Polgár used 1. g3 to avoid heavy opening preparation. In the computer era, Magnus Carlsen, Levon Aronian, and Hikaru Nakamura have all employed the Reversed Alekhine as a practical weapon.

Illustrative Mini-Game Fragment

The following 16-move sample shows the thematic development and central clash:

White has completed development, struck in the center, and retained the bishop on the long diagonal—an ideal Reversed Alekhine setup.

Typical Plans for White

• Central Break: Support e4 with Nbd2, Re1, then push d4 or c4 to challenge Black’s pawns.
• Queenside Expansion: Use a4 and b4 (especially against …c6 and …d5) to seize space and open files for rooks.
• Kingside Pressure: If Black postpones …e5, consider f4–f5 to crank open lines toward the enemy king.

Typical Plans for Black

• Solid Shield: …d5, …c6, …e6, …Be7 aiming for a Caro-Kann–style fortress.
• Modern/Pirc Set-up: …g6, …Bg7, …d6 permits flexible counter-play and prepares …e5 later.
• Immediate Space Grab: …e5 and …d5 quickly occupy the center before White’s pieces are fully poised.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Alexander Alekhine is said to have joked, “1. g3 is my defense—improved by one tempo!”
• Modern engines rate 1. g3 within a few centipawns of 1. e4 and 1. d4, confirming its soundness.
• In correspondence play, gambits with e4–e5 (a pawn sac) have scored well, leveraging the fianchetto bishop’s latent power.

Practical Tips

• Study structures more than specific move orders; countless transpositions are possible.
• Use it as a surprise weapon against opponents armed with deep 1. e4/1. d4 preparation.
• If Black locks the center with …d5 and …c6, target the d-pawn with c4 or pressure the queenside with a4–b4.

Summary

The Hungarian Opening: Reversed Alekhine is a flexible, hypermodern system that trades heavy theory for rich middlegame play. With an extra tempo over the traditional Alekhine Defense, White enjoys potent central breaks and dynamic piece activity—making it an excellent choice for players who relish strategic maneuvering and surprise value.