ECO code: B02
Alekhine Defense: Brooklyn Variation
The Alekhine Defense begins with the provocative move 1...Nf6, inviting White to advance their central pawns early. The Brooklyn Variation follows with 2. e5 Ng8, where Black retreats the knight back to its original square.
Characteristic: This unusual knight retreat defies conventional opening principles by giving up immediate pressure on White’s center. It is often considered a sideline or even a joke variation, as Black effectively wastes time moving the knight twice in the opening.
Playing Style: From Black’s perspective, this is a highly passive and defensive choice, relinquishing the fight for the center and development lead to White. White, on the other hand, gains a comfortable attacking stance with a strong pawn center and more space.
Center Control: White clearly attacks and occupies the center here, while Black surrenders central influence early on.
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 Alekhine Defense: Brooklyn Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 6 - Move #7 black