ECO code: A00
Hungarian Opening: Reversed Alekhine
Moves: 1. g3 e5 2. Nf3
Description: The Hungarian Opening, also known as the Reversed Alekhine, begins with 1.g3, a flexible fianchetto move preparing to develop the bishop to g2. By playing 2.Nf3, White develops a knight while keeping options open. This setup avoids immediate confrontation in the center and aims for a hypermodern approach, where White controls the center from a distance rather than occupying it directly.
Characteristic: The key feature of this opening is the early kingside fianchetto combined with flexible knight development. It mirrors the Alekhine Defense from the opposite side, hence "Reversed Alekhine." White invites Black to occupy the center with pawns, planning to undermine and counterattack later.
Attacking or Defensive: As White, this opening is generally considered more positional and somewhat defensive in nature early on, focusing on solid development and control rather than immediate attacks. Black’s early central pawn move (e5) takes the initiative in the center, while White aims to challenge it indirectly.
Center Control: White does not immediately attack or occupy the center but instead exerts pressure on central squares from the flanks. This hypermodern style aims to control the center with pieces rather than pawns initially.
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.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Hungarian Opening: Reversed Alekhine, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 1 - Move #36 black