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Alekhine's Defense
Features:
⚔
Tactical.
Offers sharp, tactical play in the opening.
⏳
Theoretical.
Theoretical. Requires concrete opening preparation.
💎
Uncommon.
Opponents less likely to be prepared.
🍂
Very Attainable.
You'll get to play this opening extremely often.
✨
Hypermodern.
Concedes central space to opponent's pawns.
Description:
The Alekhine's Defense epitomizes the style of hypermodern chess: Black will allow White to establish a formidable center by chasing the f6 knight around, hoping to later prove that White has overextended their pawns.
Features:
⚔
Tactical.
Offers sharp, tactical play in the opening.
⏳
Theoretical.
Theoretical. Requires concrete opening preparation.
💎
Uncommon.
Opponents less likely to be prepared.
🍂
Very Attainable.
You'll get to play this opening extremely often.
✨
Hypermodern.
Concedes central space to opponent's pawns.
Motifs:
After White has played Nf3, Black usually follows with the pin Bg4, temporarily immobilizing the piece responsible for defending White's center pawns on d4 and e5.
The pawn push c4 is often a committal move for White, who may want to put a bishop on c4 instead.
Black may get in serious trouble early on if White knows more theory.
- For example, White can quickly assemble a dangerous attack on f7 with moves such as Bc4, Nf3-Ng4, Qf3, and the pawn advance to e6.
Common lines:
After main line 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6:
