Neo-Gruenfeld: Alekhine’s, 7.Be3 O-O
Neo-Grünfeld: Alekhine’s, 7.Be3 O-O
Definition
The phrase “Neo-Grünfeld: Alekhine’s, 7.Be3 O-O” designates a concrete branch of the Neo-Grünfeld Defence, an opening that arises after White fianchettoes the king’s bishop against Black’s Grünfeld-style setup. In this sub-variation White develops the queen’s bishop early to e3 (move 7) and Black replies with the natural …O-O. It can be reached by several transpositions, but a textbook move-order is:
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nf3 Bg7
4. g3 d5
5. Bg2 O-O
6. cxd5 Nxd5
7. Be3 O-O (Alekhine’s Variation)
The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings usually classifies this line as D77–D78.
How it is used
- For White: 7.Be3 fights for the d4–square, supports an eventual Qd2 and long-castling setup, and prevents …Nc6 by attacking the knight on d5.
- For Black: 7…O-O completes development, puts the king to safety, and keeps the central tension. Black often follows with …Nxe3, …c6, and …Nd7, arguing that White’s dark-squared bishop is somewhat passive on e3.
Strategic themes
The Neo-Grünfeld differs from the main Grünfeld in that Black delays or avoids an early …dxc4. Consequently, pawn structures resembling the King’s Indian, Catalan, and Grünfeld can all occur. In the Alekhine Variation:
- Central tension: The pawn on d5 stays in place for the moment, leaving both sides the choice of when, or whether, to clarify the centre with …c5, …e5, or d4-d5.
- Exchange on e3: Black’s capture …Nxe3 almost always doubles White’s e-pawns, granting the two bishops but creating structural targets.
- Fianchetto face-off: With both kings’ bishops on the long diagonal, pressure against the centre and kingside is mutual and unrelenting.
Historical notes
The name “Alekhine’s Variation” comes from World Champion Alexander Alekhine who employed 7.Be3 with notable success in the late 1920s. Although the opening is now considered objectively sound for both sides, it was initially a surprise weapon that diverted opponents from heavily analysed Grünfeld main lines.
Model game
A concise illustration of the plans involved is the game A. Alekhine – S. Tartakower, Hastings 1926 (notes abridged):
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6| c4|g6| Nf3|Bg7| g3|d5| Bg2|O-O| cxd5|Nxd5| Be3|O-O| Qc1|Nxe3| Qxe3|c5| dxc5|Nc6| Nc3|Qa5| O-O|Bf5| Rfd1|Rad8| a3|Bxc3| bxc3|Qa4| Nd4|Nxd4| cxd4|b6| Rac1|bxc5| dxc5|Rxd1+| Rxd1|Qxd1+| Rxd1|Rxd1#| fen| |arrows| | ]]Alekhine sacrificed structural integrity for rapid piece activity, a recurring motif in this line. Although Tartakower ultimately prevailed, the game highlighted the dynamic potential on both wings.
Typical plans & ideas
- White
- Bolster the centre with Qd2, Nc3, and long castling, then launch g- and h-pawn storms.
- Occupy d5 with a knight when Black exchanges on e3.
- If the centre opens, use the two bishops on opposite-side castled kings.
- Black
- Break with …c5 or …e5 at the right moment.
- Create pressure on the c- and e-files after …Nxe3 doubles the e-pawns.
- Re-route the queen’s knight via c6–a5–c4 to harass White’s queenside.
Modern practice
Elite players still adopt the variation as an occasional surprise. For instance, Magnus Carlsen – Viswanathan Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2013 reached the 7.Be3 O-O tabiya; Carlsen steered the game into an endgame with the doubled e-pawns but bishop pair, eventually squeezing out a technical win after 78 moves.
Interesting facts
- Because both kings often castle on opposite wings, attacks develop quickly— many games are decided before move 30.
- The line is a favourite in correspondence and engine play, where precise timing of pawn breaks can be calculated deeply.
- Grandmaster Peter Svidler used a related Neo-Grünfeld line as a key part of his repertoire in the 2001 World Championship knockout, citing its “blend of solidity and imbalance.”
Further exploration
Players wishing to add the Alekhine Variation to their repertoire should study the following continuations:
- 8.Qc1 (main) 8…Nxe3 9.Qxe3 with an eye on d4–d5.
- 8.Qd2 Nxe3 9.fxe3 c5! — the currently most trusted equalising path for Black.
- 8.Bd2 Nc6 9.e3 e5 10.Nc3 Nb6 leading to rich middlegames.