The Alekeine's Defense

I'm thinking of playing this as black against e4, yes, I know it's quite different then my Sicilian crap, but at least it may shock some ppl, plus, I rarely see this opening, and it's different. So what are the strategies for it? What should I watch out for? Anyone have the statistics of this opening?

The Alekhine's Defence, in the best hypermodern tradition, attempts to lure White's centre forward in order to fix and, later sabotage it.
You said you like to influence the centre, I think that the Alekhine's isn't the way to do that. Basically Black gives white the centre and then challenges him to hold it. Very tactical, very sharp in some lines and very difficult to master on either side.
I think if you want to play to the centre then your best bet to e4 is e5. From there you find some lines in the Ruy you like, some in the Italian and learn a bit of the lesser used openings (Four Knights, King's Gambit etc.). You'd be much better off, well in my opinion anyway.

Personally,I like the Alekhine,but I agree with Xanthos.It will often get you a cramped,difficult game.And judging by what I read from you,it's not what you want.

Try the Center-counter, Mateulose (Scandinavian Defence). You may lose games but not smothered as sometimes happens in Sicilians. I personally got sick of Sicilians. I even hate playing white against them because people have memorized thefirst ten moves. There's a good video out (Bad Bishop) on the Scheming Scandinavian who has an energetic no-nonsense approach, and he doesn't have a Russian accent!

Excuse me. Andrew Martin is the narrator and does a damn fine job.

Originally posted by buddy2
Try the Center-counter, Mateulose (Scandinavian Defence). You may lose games but not smothered as sometimes happens in Sicilians. I personally got sick of Sicilians. I even hate playing white against them because people have memorized thefirst ten moves. There's a good video out (Bad Bishop) on the Scheming Scandinavian who has an energetic no-nonsense approach, and he doesn't have a Russian accent!

I have tried Alekhine's Defence some this year. Out of about six games I have yet to see a pawn storm ie. Four Pawns Attack. This was a disapointment too me. As far as Black having a crampted position, well I seem to get in that type of a game no matter what opening moves I play. You might want to use a data base to start the game well.

I'd like to try an Alekhine's game. Anyone want to play e4 against me so I can try it? I'll play rated, and I am not that familiar with the opening.

I would but you only accept challengers below 1650. 🙁

For very good reason 🙂

Originally posted by AThousandYoung
I'd like to try an Alekhine's game. Anyone want to play e4 against me so I can try it? I'll play rated, and I am not that familiar with the opening.

Nope.

You're playing your self imposed max though.

Originally posted by AThousandYoung
Nope.

You're playing your self imposed max though.

If anybody's interested there's a an alekhine's defense game of the week site. Sorry I don't have a link.

Alekhine did not play the Alekhine's Defence very often. I do not know why. He was a strong enough player, pluss there was no a lot of theory on it at that time. Anybody know why Alekhine did not play the opening a bit more often?