Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation

Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation is a challenging and aggressive opening that begins with black's knight moving to block white's e-pawn.

This opening is aimed at disrupting white's plans from the very beginning and provoking them to make mistakes.

The weakness of this opening is that the knight on d5 can create some tactical complications later on if not properly supported.

However, the Modern Variation, which includes playing d6 and developing the light-squared bishop early on, aims to solve this issue and offers black a better chance at controlling the center.

In sum, the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation is a great choice for players who enjoy sharp and risky positions but require a good understanding of tactics and strategy to navigate through it successfully.

Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, move by move

e4

-0.15

Chess players opening with the white pieces often start with their king’s pawn moving two squares forward. The purpose of this move is to control the center of the board, attacking and occupying the d5 square with the pawn on e4. It also frees the queen and bishop, opening up possible attack lines. This is known as the King's Pawn Opening or the e4 opening. Moving the pawn to e5 may foreclose Black's Knight options and restrict their options, creating an early advantage for White.

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Nf6

+0.93

After the first move of e2-e4, Black responds with 1...Nf6. The move instantly attacks White's pawn, while also setting up a potential attack on White's central control with ...d7-d6. It is known as the Alekhine Defense, which named after Alexander Alekhine, a former world chess champion who developed and championed this unorthodox strategy. By avoiding an early pawn push, Black counters the center pawn pressure and attempts to induce weaknesses in White's pawn structure, hoping to strike back in the middle game through a counter-attack.

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e5

+0.11

As a response to 1...Nf6, White has a few options, and one is to play 2.e5. The move creates a pawn center while controlling key squares, adding pressure to Black's knight and restricting Black's options. Black is now forced to retreat the knight, capture the pawn, or ignore it altogether. However, the move also leaves the d5 square weakened and unprotected, which Black can take advantage of later in the game. Additionally, it reveals a diagonal for the white bishop to attack, giving White potential opportunities to open up the game and launch an attack.

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Nd5

+0.73

In the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, After 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5, Black has an option to play 2...Nd5. The knight retreats to a central square, attacking the pawn on e5. If White captures with the knight, then Black recaptures with the pawn, opening up the center. If White does not capture, Black has the possibility of playing ...d6 and ...c5, attacking the pawn chain of d4-e5. This move also creates a counter-attacking threat towards the white queen and bishop, making it difficult for White to develop its pieces and maintain its pawn center.

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d4

+0.49

Following the moves 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5, White has the option to play 3.d4, which restores the pawn chain and reinforces the control over the central squares. The pawn move attacks the Knight on d5, forcing it to move or exchange. This often leads to an exchange of pawns or pieces, such as ...d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 exd6, creating an open file for the white rook and weakening black's pawn structure. In this variation, White aims to pressure Black's pawn structure by developing the pieces rapidly, preparing to castle, and gaining control of the center.

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d6

+0.72

After the moves 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4, Black has the option of playing 3...d6. The pawn move defends Black's knight on d5 and controls the e5 square, freeing the dark-squared bishop and potentially preparing queen-side castling. It creates a pawn chain, which could later support a pawn break by pushing ...c5. Additionally, it restricts White's center pawn, blocking the potential for a pawn advance to d5. In sum, the move aims to control the center and maintain flexible piece development.

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Nf3

+0.17

In the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, after reaching the move order 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6, White has an option to play 4.Nf3, which moves the Knight to the center, eyeing both the Kingside and Queenside development. The move puts pressure on the Black Knight and allows the development of the bishop pair, potentially preparing for a Kingside attack. Additionally, Nf3 supports the e5 pawn, keeping control over the center area. It also creates a discovered attack, enabling the Queen and Bishop to connect, adding potential threats to the Black's pawn structure. In sum, Nf3 is a solid developing move, which aims to apply pressure on Black and maintain a well-placed position.

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How to play the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation

Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation begins with 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3.

From here, d6 is played which helps in controlling the center and developing the light-squared bishop.

White will be trying to trap the knight on d5, so black needs to be mindful of this possible tactic and prepare for it with a timely c6.

In sum, the opening is very complex, but it's important to remember that the key is to create imbalance and provoke white to make mistakes.

The best way to master this opening is by studying the common ideas, tactics and strategies that arise from the opening and practicing different variations against different opponents.

How to counter the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation

Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation is challenging to counter as it aims to disrupt white's plans from move one.

As white, one can try to avoid a tactical race in the center by playing moves like 3.Nc3 or 3.Nd2 to avoid the e5 push until better development is achieved.

Another way to challenge black's position is to play on the queenside with moves like b3, Bb2 and a4.

Also, be extra cautious not to fall into any traps that black may lay, and always calculate your moves well, keeping in mind possible tactical combinations.

In general, playing solid and logical moves, concentrating on developing pieces and controlling the center should provide a good chance to counter this opening.

Pawn structure in the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation

The pawn structure in Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation is asymmetrical, with both sides having a pawn on e5 and e6 respectively.

Black's pawn on d6 controls the center and supports the knight on d5 while the pawn on f7 guards against any threats to the king.

White's pawn on f3 supports the knight on g3 while the backward pawn on d4 may become weak if not properly supported.

In general, black's pawn structure is more flexible and allows for more maneuverability, while white's pawn structure aims to control the center with a strong pawn chain.

The papachess advice

Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation is a dynamic and challenging opening that requires both sides to think creatively and adapt quickly to changing circumstances.

With black's knight on the fourth move, this opening aims to disrupt white's plans from the very beginning and take control of the center.

While not without its weaknesses and tactical difficulties, black can offset these challenges by properly supporting the knight on d5 and using the flexible pawn structure to their advantage.

White, on the other hand, needs to be extra cautious not to fall into any traps and to play logical and solid moves that aim to control the center and challenge black's position.

Ultimately, this opening is a great choice for players who enjoy sharp and risky positions but require a good understanding of tactics and strategy to navigate through it successfully.

By following a move-by-move analysis of this opening, players can learn the key concepts behind each move and how they shape the position.

With practice and experience, players can become proficient in playing and countering the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation and use the opening as part of their repertoire.

In sum, Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation is a powerful weapon for black and offers many possibilities for creative and dynamic play.