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Alekhine's Defense
e4 Nf6 e5 Nd5 d4 d6 c4 Nb6 exd6 exd6 Nc3 Be7 Nf3 O-OBlack invites the e-pawn to advance and then picks apart the over-extended center — a provocative hypermodern strategy named after former World Champion Alexander Alekhine.
Theory 52
Games 128K
Family 1.e4 Nf6
Opening Profile
Sharpness68
Solidity42
Counterplay78
BeginnerTheory-light if you choose the Normal Variation, but the Four Pawns Attack requires preparation.
ClubEffective surprise weapon; most club players build the center and don't know how to handle counterplay.
AdvancedUsed occasionally at GM level as a change of pace; requires concrete knowledge of the critical lines.
Black invites the e-pawn to advance and then picks apart the over-extended center — a provocative hypermodern strategy named after former World Champion Alexander Alekhine.
Variations
White's Plans
Build a broad pawn center with c4, d4, and potentially f4 — the Four Pawns Attack is White's most ambitious try.
In quieter lines, use the spatial advantage to develop comfortably and convert to a positional edge.
Avoid over-pushing; an advanced pawn center becomes a target once Black's pieces are active.
Black's Plans
Provoke the center pawns forward, then attack them with ...d6, ...c5, and piece pressure.
The knight on d5 is often Black's best piece — trade it only when you get something concrete in return.
After the center dissolves, Black usually has active piece play and no structural weaknesses.
Win Rate Across All Games
40.6% White5.9% Draw53.5% Black
128K
Games
52
Theory Depth
2
Main Line Ply
Typical Structures
IQP on d6 for Black after early central exchanges
Hanging pawns on c5-d5 in some lines — dynamic but demanding
White's broken center after Black's counterplay succeeds
Key Motifs
Nb6-c4 knight outpost pressure
...c5 central counter when White's pawns are over-extended
...Bg4 pin tactics against the d4 pawn defender
Balanced middlegames where transpositions and move-order nuance matter more than memorized traps.
Key Lines
Normal VariationWhite liquidates the center early; balanced middlegame with active play for both sides.
e4 Nf6 e5 Nd5 d4 d6 c4 Nb6 exd6 exd6 Nc3 Be7Four Pawns AttackWhite builds the maximum pawn center; Black must attack it immediately.
e4 Nf6 e5 Nd5 d4 d6 c4 Nb6 f4 dxe5 fxe5 Nc6Exchange VariationWhite exchanges the e-pawn early and aims for a stable positional edge.
e4 Nf6 e5 Nd5 d4 d6 exd6 cxd6 Nf3 g6What Usually Goes Wrong
The Four Pawns Attack (c4, d4, e5, f4) is dangerous if Black responds passively — you must attack the center immediately.
Avoid cramped play where all four pawns stay advanced — Black needs activity or the space advantage becomes crushing.
White's bishop on c1 can activate via e3-f4 or g5 and become a strong piece in central endgames.
Move Order & Transpositions
This named entry appears early, so many practical games continue by transposition after the listed move order.
How to Prepare
Start with the Normal Variation — understand the pawn exchanges before learning sharper lines.
Learn the Four Pawns Attack refutation specifically, as it's White's most dangerous try.
Practice endgames with IQP on d6 — this is a common Alekhine middlegame structure.
It stops fitting if you want Black positions that create instant imbalance without a patient middlegame plan.
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