1...Nf6

Originally posted by Wulebgr
Against 1...Nf6, I'll often choose the second most popular move, 2.Nf3.

[fen]rnbqkb1r/pppppppp/5n2/8/4P3/2N5/PPPP1PPP/R1BQKBNR b KQkq - 0 2[/fen]

Here black most often plays 2...e5, and now were transposing into lines quite different from Alekhine's defense. Good reason to learn those first before venturing into the main line Alekhine.

Instead of 2...e5, which transposes into Vienna Game, I like to play 2...d5 3.exd5 Nxd5 4.Nxd5 Qxd5 to get my queen in the nice open center of the board. 😀

Originally posted by cmsMaster
I can't believe your first response was no! But I do understand why...

I think the Alekhine is an excellent "backup" opening and I use it as that. Against Wulebgr's somewhat annoying 2.Nc3 I play 2...d5 and transpose into Scandinavian lines which don't tend to be theoretical and give black pretty good chances to win, as opposed to going into potential ...[text shortened]... .Bc4 crap) so you may want to practice the Alekhine, Scandi, French, Caro-Kann, or 1...e5.

Speaking of Bc4 crap a split I joined just started today (with lots of

If your new, go ahead and try out 1...Nf6. You'll understand the concepts of space advantage and center in no time. 😉

Originally posted by zebano
Speaking of Bc4 crap a split I joined just started today (with lots of

Posts get cut off after the less than symbol when it is followed by a number.

D

Originally posted by Zander 88
If your new, go ahead and try out 1...Nf6. You'll understand the concepts of space advantage and center in no time. 😉

in other words, you'll likely get suffocated by white the first few tries

Originally posted by YUG0slav
in other words, you'll likely get suffocated by white the first few tries

this happened to me when I tried to play it. about 10 moves in, I was swamped in white attacks and had most of my forces still in the back row.

I would really like to see some good games by black in this line.
Any Alekhine players out there care to share some of their favorites?

Originally posted by bikingviking
I would really like to see some good games by black in this line.
Any Alekhine players out there care to share some of their favorites?

I started to play Alekhines defence.

I got a very good book by Lev Albert. Not many people know it well so OTB it is good. At the highest level it has a dodgy rep, but I don't like playing book games with people.

My overall way i play it is:

Quite often it is easier to exchange your e pawn for their d pawn rather than your c pawn.

Look for an early c5.

You MUST learn some lines in the 4 pawns variation.

You can often set up a Kings indian.

Don't play Nc6 too early.

Originally posted by Dies Irae
this happened to me when I tried to play it. about 10 moves in, I was swamped in white attacks and had most of my forces still in the back row.

Yeah, I gave up on it after a few tries.
It invites white to overstretch with various different pawn-pushes. I found the counter-attacking nature of the opening rather too passive for me, though I understand the basic logic behind the Alekhine Defence.


This is the 4-pawns attack which makes me sweat just thinking about it from black's perspective:
1.e4...Nf6
2.e5...Nd5
3.d4...d6
4.c4...Nb6
5.f4

With black looking to exchange on e5 then exploit the gaps in white's defence with moves like Bf5 & later Bb4 etc.
If white can get his king safe & bolster the KS in general black can have severe problems.

Unless you plan to become a specialist Alekhine player I would learn some theory first before trying out a hypermodern-type opening or you could get beaten up. This defence is a clear case of love it or hate it from both points of view!

Originally posted by Squelchbelch
Yeah, I gave up on it after a few tries.
It invites white to overstretch with various different pawn-pushes. I found the counter-attacking nature of the opening rather too passive for me, though I understand the basic logic behind the Alekhine Defence.


This is the [b]4-pawns attack which makes me sweat just thinking about it from black's pers ...[text shortened]... d get beaten up. This defence is a clear case of love it or hate it from both points of view![/b]

OTB against under 2000 players i recommend g5!!

I have a great record in this line, white can get a good advantage, but OTB it is very hard to find.

Black can still get a good game in other lines, but you have to study the book. The key is to exchange pawns and be very careful how and when you move your white squared bishop.

Originally posted by Squelchbelch

This is the 4-pawns attack which makes me sweat just thinking about it from black's perspective:
1.e4...Nf6
2.e5...Nd5
3.d4...d6
4.c4...Nb6
5.f4
[fen]rnbqkb1r/ppp1pppp/1n1p4/4P3/2PP1P2/8/PP4PP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq f3 0 5[/fen]
With black looking to exchange on e5 then exploit the gaps in white's defence with moves like Bf5 & later Bb4 etc.
If white can get his king safe & bolster the KS in general black can have severe problems.

Alkhine used to be my main line of defence as black, but I put it to the side to learn new openings. The four pawns attack is actually what the Alkhine's defence is all about, letting white build up a center then undermining it. True, black has to be carefull not to swarmed, but four pawns attack offers black good chances, and is not a serious threat to the defence. Actually, the modern set-up as white offers the best chances against the Alkhine's defence..i.e. 1. e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3..however still a very playable opening

Originally posted by bikingviking
I would really like to see some good games by black in this line.
Any Alekhine players out there care to share some of their favorites?

I believe Weyerstrass User 91723 the #3 player on this site plays it occasionally. You could dig through his games.

Edit, I guess there are only 3 of them, but here they are
http://www.chessatwork.com/gamesexplorer/index.php?movelist=e2e4g8f6&flip=0&co=b&u=91723&c=-1

Originally posted by Ragnorak
Posts get cut off after the less than symbol when it is followed by a number.

D

Doh! anyway my point is that you must think about your moves.
1. e4 e6 2. Bc4??? was played against me twice yesterday when I naturally played 2... d5 gaining a tempo.

Originally posted by bikingviking
I would really like to see some good games by black in this line.
Any Alekhine players out there care to share some of their favorites?

I play it often, in this memorable game...


Game 2839370


Dragon fire kicked my ass, but a good game all the same....

J

Originally posted by Restless Soul
Alkhine used to be my main line of defence as black, but I put it to the side to learn new openings. The four pawns attack is actually what the Alkhine's defence is all about, letting white build up a center then undermining it. True, black has to be carefull not to swarmed, but four pawns attack offers black good chances, and is not a serious threat ...[text shortened]... lkhine's defence..i.e. 1. e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3..however still a very playable opening

Yeah I chose the 4-pawns because it demonstrates the basic principal of the Alekhine in the easiest terms.
Still say you need balls of steel to play it regularly as black though😉