Alekhine's Defense
Alekhine's Defense (1.e4 Nf6) is a hypermodern opening where Black invites White to chase the knight while building a large pawn center, which Black then aims to undermine and attack.
← All openingsKey ideas
Provoke White's center with Nf6; Undermine the center from the flanks; Create tactical complications; Accept initial space disadvantage for dynamic counterplay
Strengths
Hypermodern approach; provokes White to overextend; sharp and dynamic play; avoids main-line theory
Watch out for
White gains large center and space advantage; Black can become cramped; risky against well-prepared opponents
Typical pawn structure
White: large pawn center (e4, d4, c4); Black: flexible pawn structure aiming to undermine
Common mistakes
Allowing White too much central control; Passive piece development; Mistiming central breaks; Getting crushed by White's space advantage
History
Named after World Champion Alexander Alekhine who introduced it in the 1920s. Used by Bobby Fischer, Bent Larsen, and modern players seeking unbalanced positions.
Famous games
Alekhine games introducing the defense; Fischer and Larsen games