ECO code: A00
Hungarian Opening: Reversed Alekhine
Moves: 1. g3 e5 2. Nf3 e4 3. Ng1 Nf6
This unusual opening sequence is characterized by White’s early kingside fianchetto preparation combined with a somewhat provocative knight retreat after Black’s aggressive pawn push to e4. The name “Reversed Alekhine” comes from the fact that Black’s e5 and e4 advance mirrors the Alekhine Defense, but with colors reversed and White adopting a hypermodern setup.
Characteristics: The Hungarian Opening here involves White delaying central occupation and instead focusing on controlling key squares from the flank with the g3 and Nf3 moves. White’s retreat of the knight to g1 is unconventional, indicating a flexible but somewhat passive posture early on.
Attacking or Defensive: From White’s perspective, this setup is primarily defensive and hypermodern, inviting Black to occupy the center first while White plans to undermine it later. Black, by contrast, is taking a more attacking stance by pushing the e4 pawn early, gaining space in the center and trying to cramp White’s development.
Center Control: This opening does not immediately contest the center directly with pawns from White’s side. Instead, White aims to control the center from a distance using the fianchettoed bishop and knights, allowing Black to take the center initially but with the intention of challenging it later in the game.
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.