Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Flohr Variation

The opening move of e4 by white aims to control the center of the board. It also allows white's pieces to quickly develop and provides a strong foundation for future attacks. However, black's response of Nf6 challenges white's control over the center and puts pressure on the e4 pawn. White's next move, e5, aims to maintain control. The game then progresses with both sides developing pieces until black's move of Nd5 forces a capture or retreat. From there, the Flohr Variation of the Alekhine Defense sees black playing d6 and Bg4, putting pressure on white's e4 pawn and holding back white's development. White's response of Be2, followed by c6 by black, leads to complex and dynamic play that can result in a variety of outcomes.

Black plays Nf6 in response to white's e4 in order to challenge white's control over the center of the board. By placing the knight on f6, black threatens to attack white's e4 pawn and potentially gain control over the center. Additionally, the move develops the knight towards the center, which is a key element of opening strategy. The move is also a common and flexible response that can lead to a variety of different openings, including the Alekhine Defense if black chooses to continue with the Modern Variation.

White plays e5 after black's Nf6 in order to maintain control over the central squares and free up white's pieces for development. By playing e5, the pawn attacks black's knight and threatens to push it back, limiting black's control over the center. Additionally, the move opens up the diagonal for white's dark-squared bishop and allows white to bring additional pieces into the game. However, the move also weakens white's hold on the d4 square and can lead to complex and dynamic play.

In the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Flohr Variation, black wants to play Nd5 after e5 in order to challenge white's control over the center. By placing the knight on d5, black attacks white's pawn on e5 and gains a foothold in the center. This move also has the added benefit of attacking white's knight on e5, forcing it to either capture the black knight or retreat and waste time. Additionally, the move develops the knight towards the center and prepares to castle kingside, which is a common opening strategy in the Alekhine Defense.

White plays d4 after black's Nd5 in order to regain control over the center. By playing d4, white attacks black's knight and prepares to develop the pieces towards the center. The move also supports the pawn on e5, which was previously threatened by black's knight. Additionally, the move frees up the light-squared bishop and allows white to castle kingside. However, the move also weakens white's pawn structure and creates a potential weakness on the d4 square that black can exploit.

Black plays d6 after white's d4 in order to slow down white's advance in the center and continue development. The move also prepares to support the knight on d5 and defend against potential attacks by white's pieces. Additionally, the move allows the dark-squared bishop to develop and potentially control the long diagonal. However, the move can also lead to a cramped position for black's pieces and may limit options for future play.

In the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Flohr Variation, white wants to play Nf3 after black's d6 in order to develop the knight and control the central squares. By playing Nf3, white also prepares to castle kingside and connect the rooks. The move also has the added benefit of supporting the pawn on e5 and preparing to attack black's knight on d5. However, the move can also limit white's pawn breaks and may allow black to further control the center.

Black plays Bg4 after white's Nf3 in order to develop the bishop and place pressure on white's knight. By playing Bg4, black pins white's knight to the queen and potentially threatens to exchange it or gain a tempo by forcing white to move it. The move also prepares to castle kingside and potentially control the long diagonal. However, the move can also leave the bishop vulnerable to attack and may limit black's options for future play.

White plays Be2 after black's Bg4 in order to support the knight on f3 and potentially prepare to castle kingside. By playing Be2, white also frees up the d1 square for the queen or rook and prepares to further develop the pieces. The move can also limit black's options for further pressure on white's knight and potentially force black to waste a tempo by moving the bishop again. However, the move can also limit white's attack on the center and may allow black to further control the board with future moves.

In the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Flohr Variation, black wants to play c6 after white's Be2 in order to control the d5 square and limit white's piece mobility. By playing c6, black also prepares to develop the queen's knight to c7 and further control the center. The move can also take away potential attack squares from white's light-squared bishop and offer additional protection for black's king. Conversely, the move creates a potential weakness on the d6 square and can lead to a cramped position for black's pieces.