Alekhine Defense

Alekhine's Defense (1.e4 Nf6) is the ultimate provocation. Black develops the knight to a square where it can be attacked, inviting White to chase it with pawns. The whole opening is a bet: that the white centre will eventually become overextended and collapse, leaving Black with active pieces in a wide-open position. Invented by world champion Alexander Alekhine in 1921, it's never been fully refuted - just respected.

Main line: Modern (4 Pawns Restraint)

After 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3, White takes a measured central setup. Black plays 4...g6 or 4...Bg4 with a flexible setup. The position becomes a long manoeuvring game where Black tries to trade pieces and break in the centre with ...c5 or ...e5 at the right moment. Less dramatic than the Four Pawns Attack but more sound.

Variations

Four Pawns Attack (4.c4 Nb6 5.f4)

White accepts the bait. After 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4, White has pawns on c4, d4, e5, f4 - the biggest centre any opening allows. Black plays ...dxe5 6.fxe5 Nc6 with attacks on d4 and e5. If Black survives the next ten moves, the pawn centre often becomes a weakness rather than a strength. Sharp and a guarantee of fireworks.

Exchange Variation (4.exd6)

White trades the e-pawn for the d-pawn instead of pushing. After 4.exd6 exd6 (or 4...cxd6 for a more dynamic structure), the position becomes a quieter middlegame. White has a tiny tempo edge, Black has an extra centre pawn but doubled pawns if ...cxd6 was played. Drawish but playable for both sides.

Chase Variation (2.Nc3)

Instead of grabbing space, White just develops and transposes. After 2.Nc3 d5 (or 2...e5) the game heads into a Vienna-like structure where the knight on f6 is comfortable. Avoids the Alekhine entirely.

Common traps

Don't let the knight die on d5: in the main line, the knight on d5 is the target. If White plays c4 and Black retreats badly, the knight gets stuck on b6 or a5 with no good squares. Always know where you're going next - usually Nb6 followed by quick development.

Watch the e6 weakness: with the pawn on e5 cramping Black, the e6 square is a common entry point for White pieces. Especially Bishop checks from b5 or threats from a knight on d4. If Black ignores e6, the bishop pair can dominate.

Typical plans for Black

Black's whole strategy is provocation and counter-attack. Let White grab space, develop pieces actively (knights to b6 and d7, bishops to f5 or g4 and g7), and look for moments to break with ...c5 or ...e5. The classic motif is to trade White's overextended pawns for Black's pieces - the position simplifies into a healthier endgame.

If you want an offbeat 1.e4 weapon that confuses club players and rewards understanding, Alekhine's is hard to beat. The drills below cover the Modern, Four Pawns, and Exchange.