ECO code: B04
Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Schmid Variation
Moves: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Nb6
This variation of the Alekhine Defense features Black's early knight maneuvers to challenge White’s central pawn advance while maintaining flexibility. The move 4...Nb6 is characteristic as it retreats the knight to a safe square, preparing to support the center and avoiding exchanges that could ease White's central control.
From Black's perspective, this opening is primarily defensive yet hypermodern in nature—Black invites White to overextend in the center with pawns on e5 and d4, aiming to undermine that center later. White, on the other hand, adopts an attacking stance by grabbing space and controlling the center early on.
Regarding the center, White aggressively occupies and attacks the center with pawns on e5 and d4, while Black challenges this center indirectly, focusing on counterattacks rather than immediate occupation.
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: Modern Variation, Schmid Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 2 - Move #8 black