ECO code: B03
Alekhine Defense
Moves: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6
The Alekhine Defense is characterized by Black immediately challenging White's central pawn on e4 with the knight move 1...Nf6, inviting White to advance their central pawns early. This move is somewhat provocative, as Black allows White to gain space in the center while aiming to undermine and attack this advanced center later.
From Black's perspective, the Alekhine Defense is a counter-attacking opening. Black adopts a hypermodern approach, focusing on attacking White's center from a distance rather than occupying it immediately. White, on the other hand, plays more attacking by gaining central space and attempting to maintain it.
The opening definitely revolves around the battle for the center. White tries to build a strong pawn center with e5 and d4, while Black looks to challenge and undermine this center with moves like ...d6 and eventually ...c5 or ...Nc6.
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, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 32 - Move #6 black