Alekhine Defense · B02

Normal Variation

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5

In the centre, White holds e5.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4. Theory calls this the Alekhine Defense.
• 2. e5 Puts the question to the knight on f6 - retreat, trade, or be taken.
• 2... Nd5 Repositions the knight to d5. It backs up the pawn on c7.

Create a free account to train this line — every note in it is already on this page; an account puts it on a board, with the plan and a drill that walks it.