Chess Openings: Alekhine Defense

The Alekhine Defense is a hypermodern defense against the e4 opening from white. Black looks to allow white to overextend his pawns in the center and then looks to counter by taking back control of the center using his minor pieces
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Chess Software used in the video can be found at www.chesscentral.com and www.chessok.com

[@myfavsandlikes7478]

This is definitely guna be my go to defense against e4 from now.

[@mrorlov2706]

Its very slow tho

[@MichaelRobertSnow]

Oh no :/

[@monjier]

I find most people don't accept these lines. Not many people know it and I've only had one game so far where white chooses 2 e5... I find white normally ends up trying to develop the horses but it leads to a great game if white moves their bishop to Bc4.

[@builderphill1361]

@@monjier what elo do you play at?

[@monjier]

@@builderphill1361 not high enough lol

[@chesswebsite]

@areudun187 i like this, once I get the major openings covered, I may go back and do seperate videos going more in depth for each line of each opening.

[@jaipatel6569]

Wow, your videos are amazing. So succinct and clear, they're a perfect introduction to all things theory, but not too much information that I (as a fairly average/sub-average player) don't get lost at all. Thank you for uploading!

[@chesswebsite]

Thanks for the feedback. I try to cover as much as I can. As you can probably tell this video was 10:35 and youtube won't let you upload anything approaching 11 minutes. If I become a youtube partner and I can have longer videos I will go more in depth. I will try in the future to cover as much as I can in the time allotted.

[@cricketparadise2614]

Was it before 11 years that, you can't upload video longer than 11 minutes.

[@charliedyble8298]

@@cricketparadise2614 damn how did people cope

[@drdiscostu]

Haha comments from 12 years ago!

[@chesswebsite]

@ledgeleaper thanks for the honest feedback. I will work on the "from here"s It used to be "simply" so hopefully since I corrected that I can correct "from here" I'll also really try to work on my adverbs. It's weird cause they both sound right to me (even though I know using the adverb is correct). I will make an effort to use the correct verbage. Thanks again for helping me make these vids better.

[@dlucey123]

If the only criticism people have about your videos is minor grammar mistakes I’d take that as a compliment. You make great content and I feel pretty sure most people are more interested in the core content rather than choice of words.

[@VulpineShine]

I like this defense. If they get a tempo chasing around my knight it's okay, because I get it back by fianchettoing, since i no longer need to find a spot to get my knight out of the way like with more traditional defenses. I also attack the center I just surrendered. I can never hold onto the center when I just try to occupy it as black. I'm super bad at chess though.

[@myfavsandlikes7478]

Harper Jos Grifith wuts ur rating?

[@myfavsandlikes7478]

Harper Jos Grifith lol okkkk

[@Rahulsingh-mq2ny]

@Harper Jos Grifith bruh

[@god2020]

@@Rahulsingh-mq2ny Prolly lying

[@makbadgam]

I played this and completely demolished a lvl 1300 computer. This is my go to defense to E4 from now on.

[@soakedbearrd]

Good info. As a club player i see instead of 2.e5, white will play nc3 or d3. Very rarely i also see 2.f3. Thats what i love about this defense in that its sharp, chaotic and gives u another option against e4, especially if u want to avoid sicilian, french or caro variations. In many cases alek def transposes into the french as well.

[@5bJuggla]

Yes.... I really needed to see this

[@interiorgyro]

Your audio is clear as are you. Thank you.

[@sunner222]

Kevin was smashing it before engines or even chess being cool at all Thanks Kevin for the wonderfull job

[@jusren]

Thanks for the helpful video and intro to this opening! 👍🏼

[@chesswebsite]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shaneridge9557]

I know absolutely nothing about chess and I'm watching this late at night as my phone is dying and I have to be awake in few hours. Thanks youtube

[@johngriller4997]

There is nothing to worry about if c5 is played. In fact, c5 is a mistake because it loses material for white instead of black because of the following continuation: 7.c5, Qxd4! (if cxb6 then Qh4+ and if g6 then Qe4+ winning the rook on h1) So 8.Qxd4, Nxd4 (again, if cxb6 then the night on d4 has a fork on c2 winning the rook on a1). Hope this helped! -JG

[@arkancer2210]

pls speak english

[@CJB12334]

@@arkancer2210 homie its chess we speak notation

[@kendall6699]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@joseluisparreno8057]

Great video. Congratulations from Barcelona.

[@joeltopgun]

Fantastic Kev, keep em coming!

[@cursospss]

very nice explanation

[@chesswebsite]

@dreamtheater39 I really appreciate the kinds words. Thanks for taking the time to write and let me know you're liking everything.

[@shlomorothstein9691]

I like the 4 queen variation. 1. e4, Nf6 2. Nc3, d5 3. e5, d4 4. exf6. dxc3 5. fxg7, cxb2 6. gxh1, bxa1

[@davidosherow1554]

Thank you. A great primer on Alekhine's Defence, and what a great world champ he was!

[@gregocon218]

Kevin, the site and the video's are amazing, thanks so much! I was wondering if you could help me out when white plays KnF3 (after e4 then KnF6) what is the best response for black? Unless there is some trick then e5/d5 are out and e6 seems to morph back into the french. Thanks very much, Greg

[@riamorgan9835]

Yeah I always find this opening to be mad tricky, you can easily lose just as well as get an upperhand

[@reggiereynolds3148]

Great job Kevin! you explain the decisions and choices well! That is important when someone is learning about chess/openings.

[@mikpes]

I've always liked abd used this defense , especially mokele mbembe variation

[@Ymiraku]

this is actually fantastic

[@chesswebsite]

Thanks Reece

[@btejedor]

at 8:45 if Bxf3, Bxf3, white will be attacking the knight on d5 and behind it, will be the undefended b7 pawn, so to defend the knight, black will have to double up pawns on d5 and d6. great video, i'll try this defense the next time i see the e4 opening.

[@vincent21212]

I play 1. Nf6 almost exclusively as a response to e4 and I have yet to see these lines

[@paddy110287]

@ledgeleaper It's not an English lesson it's a chess opening lesson.

[@docmanu8343]

really good video

[@kusumitahazra3985]

superb!!!!

[@nnadozieokoroj1410]

What if white brings bishop to c4 instead of pawn to c4

[@ShynyMagikarp]

Good video! Thanks

[@ChrisCioffi]

Anything on how to handle the Plancic variation (4 pawn attack with 5 ... g5) when white declines the pawn with say 6. Nf3 or 6. Nc3?

[@zhivago729]

Jed, most players fight for control of the center with pawns. A hypermodern scheme allows the other player to control the center and then attacks it.

[@JJTheBigDog]

I cannot find information on the Alekhine Defense in the QGA. 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf6 a6

[@aaronwalderslade]

interesting. I don't play it like this. I think it's better to advance the e pawn for a more closed version. also, white very often brings out the white bishop with the idea of trading it for the wasted moves knight. it's a simple counter attack by simply moving the knight, and I can feel my opponents seeth when my knight counterattacks their bishop with impunity!

[@heavyender99]

a hi from 11 years later

[@MK-13337]

Many people asking about 2. Nc3 here, and I cant seem to answer ant of them directly (my phone doesnt show the option "answer"), so I'll explain it here: 1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 is a transposition to the Vienna game, which is not that played (even though not objectively bad) in high-elo play. Moreover, 1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 is even stronger, going into modern scandinavian lines, but with the change of white having the move Nc3 already played. Do mind here that in the modern scandimavian, Nc3 is played exclusively after c4, kicking the black knight This is the modern scandinavian main line 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 {the modern scandinavian} 3. d4 {gaining space, protecting d5 gives white no advantage} ...Nxd5 4. c4 Nb6 In the main line, black gets a d4 c4 pawn duo with extra space (and tempo against the knight), but with the move order e4 Nf6 Nc3 d5 it is hard for white to play c4 after exd5 Nxd5 because it is illegal due to the misplaced knight on c3

[@Sheendude]

Great job, even though it was only 10 minutes I learned a lot! Thanks Kevin!

[@dhenmharkazarcon7430]

can you add more ? i want more . what i mean is that , i want to see until the middle of the game. maybe ? i have trouble playing black.

[@rayriflepie397]

In my opinion, playing d6 right away after black moves his knight again is not the best move for white as you really fall into black's plan right away. I always choose Bc4 at this point because black will either have to defend the knight again with a pawn or move it again. Either way this gains a tempo for white. I use this extra tempo to create a super solid pawn chain, but normal development is also fine. 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Bc4 e6 4. d4 Nc6 5. c3 Both sides will continue to develop, but personally I think white is better because of the large space advantage.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

The main line of the Four Pawns attack runs 18 moves and is very tactical, with several key deviations. Then of course there is the Emory Tate variation, which I just did a video about.

[@simonedwards5220]

Good for blitz

[@jovan-miljkovic]

top g

[@joshemm4991]

if white plays Queen in move 2 or 3, does that venture outside of opening theory for Alekhine?

[@arshitschess1931]

Thanks

[@Levc81]

This opening works well if you're a defensive player, I like to control centre square quickly 😂

[@lucasren3605]

In the four pawn game, what would you do if instead of f4, white played Nc3?

[@jakeschultz5150]

MrChichimus if you take the pawn you are loosing the center and the point of this line for white is to get the center

[@anthonystabile5880]

What about the Brooklyn Variation?

[@NoReaSoN2CaR3]

At 3:31 if pawn to c5, the only safe spot for the knight is d5, but then it has no where to go and is disrupting the attack on the d4 pawn. What should I do if this happens?

[@hra2169]

How about part 2

[@BajoMundoUnderground]

in the minute 3: 34 instead of moving the bishop e3 withe moves c5. what would be the best move for black in that case?..... nice video

[@artiomartas]

thx for info

[@freshlikeapples-]

what if they go Nc3

[@DandyAndy1472]

8:41 What if he bring his F1 biship to C4? Wouldn't that then attack the horse and maybe even checkmate the king after the black bishop take horse and queen take bishop?

[@johngriller4997]

Kevin, your videos are great man: great explanation, perfect voice volume and pronunciation. However, I wonder why this particular opening for White is called the Alekhine Defense instead of the Alekhine Opening... I mean, white is the one who has the initiative in every opening because of the privilege of the first move; therefore, black is the one who is defending. So, Shouldn't the video be titled as the Alekhine Opening?

[@rudyf7903]

This is for black, same move for white I believe it's called the Vienna game but I'd double check that.

[@nevokrien95]

in the modern line g6 is a mistake sense u can play bc4 and have a fried liver like attak on the white side

[@lafther210]

I love this opening. It is one of my most powerful. It has a lot of trap potentials and you can make players who are unfamiliar with it panic.

[@F0ll0wTheWh1teRabbit]

I don't normally play Alekhine defence but when I do after I play d6 I will often see white play Pf4 can anyone suggest the optimum move for black.

[@cynthiamsimango9464]

In the modern one why not play the other knight to c6 you threaten both pawns quite aggressive

[@ramonbmovies]

That's all fine and dandy, but whenever I play it, NO ONE tries to move my knight away. The most common continuation is White defending the pawn w/ Kc3.

[@cristiantorres8298]

what book of Alekhine Defense do you recommend?

[@freiheitzlyonu373]

My favorite defense for black, the best defense is attack

[@johndeerishere]

I had a question. Is this defense against white's pawn to e4 one that is played a lot by grandmasters or masters? Just wondering, because I just wonder how good it does against great players or if it's used a lot.

[@cjgone2]

@johndeerishere Alekhine played it but its unpopular now because the theory is known much better now. The 4 pawn variation that weakens whites centre almost never happens now but it was used before. It's played up to the 2500s but it's rare to see it higher currently. It comes and goes out of style. Kind of like the Pirc defense which is also rare.

[@stevencontreras3928]

cjgone2 Bbhjjjj

[@nicolaconvento]

Nice video. And I can finally hear what you say XD.

[@infiniteV115]

I think it odd that white wouldn't go 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4. They still get the chance to go with d4 and gain centre control (and yes it can very easily reach the same position) but I would think white would want to FORCE black to move his knight around the board.

[@dlucey123]

It’s a respected opening and very unusual because it goes against opening principles. For me the issue with it is that it’s not always easy to break back in the centre if you play too passively. You don’t want to create backward pawns but you do want to have some centre control in my opinion.

[@kwirkLA]

I'm a new chess player and someone tried this on me but they were so passive and defensive I'd gotten so many pieces developed after chasing his knight around the board he was easily bullied the rest of the game

[@thomasvontom]

I have always liked this opening. But never had anything other then a bloody nose and broken teeth playing it. Some day I will get it down. My best games tend to revolve around solid london and collie sort of ideas.

[@boombox602]

good vid yo

[@KahHongTan]

and what if 1.e4,nf6 2.e5,nd5 3.c4? please show this variation

[@hhstouten]

Like it!

[@crackerjack113]

i love this opening

[@austinhaynes6420]

I like playing the King's Indian, but many players just push e5 which makes me go into Alekhine's Defense, so thank you for this video.

[@ohyeahsubscribetomaximilia5694]

Dante Howlstice the Kings Indian is against d4

[@stevenodonoghue6856]

@@ohyeahsubscribetomaximilia5694 i dont think he knows that the kings Indian is

[@thequeensconquerer316]

Is it a bad thing if I don't like this opening, I prefer the Birds and the English Opening for white and I think it's called the Mieses opening for black.

[@thequeensconquerer316]

I don't think it's the mieses opening. I don't know what's it called,I just came up with some moves and I use that now for black

[@MrChichinus]

what if they at 1:05 take the pawn?

[@Abc-tx4zr]

In a book I have when the knights at e5 there's to f7 pawn in front of the king I was like wait, where'd the kings pawn go?

[@arch1q892]

just use engine

[@joycekoch5746]

Can white rather than defend e4 gambit it off for development?

[@evisceratemtg6141]

Alekhine and London 🤘

[@attepietarila9950]

what about marozcy variation?

[@embrianne2286]

So for the third option, when someone chooses knight to f3, what do we do a little further down the line? I’m not going to get rid of my bishop right off of the bat, so how would I counteract that? I’m still new to chess and not quite able to figure that out yet haha

[@chesswebsite]

Hey Em, glad to hear you are getting into chess. Can you let me know the timestamp in the video you are looking at. It'll make it easier for me to follow your question.

[@conormcdonough8999]

when bishop takes knight in the exchange on f3, what is the defense of the knight on d5 while also not retreating it (and losing rook a8)???

[@j.outlaw609]

did we ever get a response to this? I find myself in this position often

[@alexgobin3690]

You guys heard that new gambino album?

[@tommynaclerio]

This so random hahha

[@DarshanSenTheComposer]

This is America bhmbhmbhm

[@jaybartgis5148]

I will do anything in my power to avoid a 4 horse opening. Anything...

[@chessenthusiast]

Hey Kevin, thanks for the great video, but a question: at 7.23, after Black tries to bust up the middle with e5, I think White would just play d6, which would cramp Black's development and extend a pawn chain really deep into Black's position. Any ideas for countering a move like that? Thanks!

[@OmegaDarkMage]

This opening looks so bad for black but it can really mess up your opponents tempo if they don't play it right.

[@stayfly1977]

what about the "krejcik" variation

[@omegaman5663]

It's spelled carjack man.

[@ploopybear]

Highest win rate opening according to Lichess' databases

[@ytsamdenyel7929]

Yea still gonna chase that knight and put it on a6 cuz e4 Nf6 e5 Nd5 c4 so on

[@amber.k]

What if d5 after c6?

[@DexterHaven]

I think Fischer used this before and won with black. True?

[@MCMasters4ever]

Probably, but Fischer won with everything.

[@brain5531]

Kevin what if my opponent don’t know the Alekhine defense and play other moves instead of e5 what should I do

[@rayriflepie397]

Either take the free pawn or if white defends it just develop normally. Just apply your own chess logic if your opponent does not follow book moves.

[@David-dj8rr]

This looks brutal compared to pawnd6

[@jaybartgis5148]

If you did that, everyone on chess.com would play knight to c3

[@SoarinYogscastSoarinSkys]

What would happen if instead of moving white's e pawn what is he moves his knight to c3?

[@philipyao5989]

I Skys e5

[@cadagerardo.8794]

@@philipyao5989 Then what's next? And do you have any tips about this opening especially when to use or not use it?

[@nosparkss]

When that happens, there is really a lot of openings to do here, but what i play here is the Four Knights game, or the Bishop opening (Bishop to c5)

[@williamepperson3443]

Ok. but what if white's 3rd move is C4 instead of D4? I cannot see any way black ends up in an advantageous position...

[@olivernew3943]

Bill Barzini Knight b6 and now White usally goes d4, followed by 4....d6 and 5. f4/Sf3. If white doesn't move d4 early enough black will have some counterplay with c5 controlling the d4 square, exchanging that pawn usally is better for black.

[@ophirtarshish6379]

New subs sir

[@KahHongTan]

hi kev, i came here from your website n u said this is a hypermodern defense. what's the meaning of ''hypermodern''?

[@gabegebhard5563]

It's when u give ur opponent the center so that u can try to prove that its over extended

[@KahHongTan]

@@gabegebhard5563 that was 7 years ago but thanks for the reply tho

[@jeffc4076]

although im not that good i realize that the alikine defence video is realy good n informative, n i would like to ask u if u would teach it to me, pleaseeeeeeeeee kevin