Alekhine Defense

The Alekhine Defence begins with 1.e4 ♞f6 — Black immediately attacks the e-pawn and forces White to advance pawns in a way that may overextend the centre. The opening was invented by World Champion Alexander Alekhine and played at the highest level for the first time in 1921. It deliberately breaks the principle of "never move the same piece twice in the opening": the knight is moved multiple times to lure White into overextending pawn advances.

After 2.e5 ♞d5 3.d4 d6 the main variations arise, including the Four Pawns Attack (4.c4 ♞b6 5.f4).

The strategic concept is provocative: Black tempts White to overextend the centre. White initially builds a powerful pawn chain (e5, d4, c4, f4 in the Four Pawns Attack), which Black then undermines with d6, c5 and e6. If White cannot maintain the centre, it collapses and Black obtains active pieces. White must play precisely or quickly end up at a disadvantage.

In the Four Pawns Attack (4.c4 ♞b6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 ♞c6) a very sharp position arises. Black attacks the potentially overextended centre at once. In the modern variation (4.♞f3 ♝g4 5.♝e2 e6) Black develops more solidly and aims for a quiet strategic fight. The Alekhine Defence is an effective surprise weapon at amateur level.