ECO code: B02
Alekhine: Chase Variation
Moves: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6
This variation is a line within the Alekhine's Defense where Black's knight is chased to the edge of the board early on. By playing 3...Nb6, Black aims to maintain pressure on White's advanced e5-pawn while preparing to challenge White’s center from a safe square.
Characteristic: The key feature of the Chase Variation is Black's knight retreat to b6 instead of the usual d7 or f6 squares, which aims to avoid exchanges and keep flexible options for counterplay.
Attacking or Defensive: From White's perspective, this is an attacking setup, as White has gained space in the center with pawns on e5 and c4, pushing Black's knight around. Black's play is more reactive and defensive initially, focusing on undermining White’s center later on.
Center Control: White clearly attacks and occupies the center early, while Black's knight maneuver is designed to challenge and eventually counterattack White’s central pawns.
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: Chase Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 40 - Move #6 black