ECO code: A00
Hungarian Opening: Reversed Alekhine e4
Moves: 1. g3 e5 2. Nf3 e4
This opening begins with White's fianchetto of the king's bishop (1. g3) and Black's immediate challenge in the center with 1...e5. After 2. Nf3, Black pushes forward with 2...e4, attacking the knight and gaining space in the center. This pawn thrust mirrors the Alekhine Defense but with colors reversed.
Characteristic: The key feature of this opening is Black's aggressive pawn push to e4, forcing White's knight to move again early, which aims to gain central space and tempo. White’s fianchetto setup provides a flexible and hypermodern approach, controlling the center from a distance rather than occupying it immediately.
Playing Style: For White, this opening is generally defensive initially, as White must respond to Black’s central thrust and reposition the knight. Black adopts a more attacking stance by grabbing space in the center and pushing White’s pieces around early on.
Center Control: Black is the one actively attacking and occupying the center with the pawn on e4, while White exerts indirect pressure from the flanks and prepares to counter-attack the center later. Thus, this opening does involve central confrontation, but in a hypermodern style where White delays direct occupation.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.