Semi-open games

Alekhine Defense

1.e4 Nf6

The Alekhine Defense starts with 1.e4 Nf6 and is catalogued under ECO B02, in the semi-open games half of the book. The catalog indexes 56 lines inside it, grouped into 53 named variations.

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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.e4

    Claims the center with a pawn and opens lines for the queen and king’s bishop.

    Idea: Build quick development and make early castling possible.

  2. 1Nf6

    Develops with tempo by attacking the e4-pawn immediately.

    Idea: Invite White’s pawns forward, then undermine the space they gain.

  3. 2.e5

    Advances to e5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  4. 2Nd5

    Repositions the knight to d5, where it influences a new part of the board.

    Idea: Improve the piece’s activity and support the next stage of the plan.

  5. 3.d4

    Advances to d4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  6. 3d6

    Advances to d6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  7. 4.c4

    Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

  8. 4Nb6

    Repositions the knight to b6, where it influences a new part of the board.

    Idea: Improve the piece’s activity and support the next stage of the plan.

  9. 5.f4

    Advances the f-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

  10. 5g6

    Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

Book continuations

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0 moves
This is the end of the indexed line.

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under Alekhine Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

29 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Alekhine Defense.