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1.Opening

Alekhine's Defense

You play BlackB05ProvocativeIntermediate

Invite White's pawns forward so they become targets. Cheeky and very instructive.

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.Be2 e6 …

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Modern Variation: position after 8 moves1h2g3f4e5d6c7b8a
Modern Variation: position after 8 moves
2.Ideas

What the opening is about

Key ideas

  1. ...Nf6 baits e5; overextended pawns can become weak.
  2. ...d6 undermines e5 straight away.
  3. ...Bg4 pins the knight that defends e5.
3.Main line

Main line · 16 moves

Modern Variation

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Your moves Opponent
No. White Black1
e4White grabs the center.
Nf6Alekhine's Defense: attack e4 and invite it forward.
2
e5White kicks the knight.
Nd5The knight hops to a central square.
3
d4White builds a big center.
d6Immediately challenges e5.
After 3…d6
After 3…d6
No. White Black4
Nf3White defends e5.
Bg4Pins the f3 knight, the main defender of e5.
5
Be2White breaks the pin.
e6Opens the f8 bishop and supports d5.
6
O-OWhite castles.
Be7Prepares to castle.
After 6…Be7
After 6…Be7
No. White Black7
c4White kicks the knight again, gaining more space.
Nb6Retreats to a square where it still pressures c4.
8
h3Asks the g4 bishop to decide.
Bh5Keeps the pin on f3, so e5 stays under pressure.
After 8…Bh5
After 8…Bh5
4.Play

Practice mode

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5.More

More defenses against 1.e4