Letting the centre stand
The whole point is to attack White’s pawns. Without ...d6 and pressure on e5, Black is simply cramped.
Opening guide · Black against 1.e4
How to play the Alekhine Defense
1.e4 Nf6
The Alekhine invites White to chase the knight and build a big pawn centre, then attacks it. It is a provocative defence for players who like to counterpunch.
- Lines to play
- 5
- Quiz positions
- 6
Learn the Alekhine Defense move by move
You play Black. Each move is explained before you play it, with an arrow on the board; then you play the line from memory. When the course has more than one good move, every one of them counts.
Key ideas
Provoke, then attack
- 1...Nf6 tempts e5, c4 and d4. Every pawn that advances is a pawn Black can target with ...d6, ...g6 and ...Bg7.
Hit the centre with ...d6
- The first break is ...d6, attacking e5 before White can support it.
The fianchetto
- ...g6 and ...Bg7 put the bishop against e5 and d4 in the Modern and Exchange lines.
Keep the knight safe
- The knight goes d5, then b6 when chased. On b6 it watches c4 and d5.
The main lines
Modern: 4.Nf3 g6
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 g6 5.Be2 Bg7 6.O-O O-O
White develops calmly; Black fianchettoes and castles.
Four Pawns: 5.f4
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 Bf5
White builds a huge centre; ...dxe5 and ...Bf5 start the attack on it.
Exchange: 5.exd6 cxd6
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 cxd6 6.Nc3 g6
Black recaptures toward the centre and fianchettoes.
3.Nc3 Nxc3
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.Nc3 Nxc3 4.dxc3 d6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bf4 dxe5
Black trades knights and hits e5 with ...d6 and ...Nc6.
Chase: 3.c4 Nb6 4.c5
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4 Nb6 4.c5 Nd5 5.Nc3 e6 6.d4 d6
White chases the knight twice; it returns to d5 and Black develops.
Find the move
6 positions from the main lines, each with its idea. Your first try counts.
Position 1 of 6
1.e4
The ideaAttack e4 with a knight.
Find the move for Black.
Common mistakes
Moving the knight too often
Each knight move should come with a purpose. Develop the other pieces while White’s pawns advance.
Opening lines toward your own king
After ...dxe5 the centre opens. Castle before the d- and f-files point at your king.
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
How do I learn the Alekhine Defense?
Play it, one move at a time. The trainer on this page explains each Black move before you play it, then asks you to play the line from memory. Read the main lines and traps, test yourself in the quiz, then play it in your games. The Alekhine Lure teaches every line, with spaced review so the moves stay with you.
Is the Alekhine Defense sound?
Yes. It is less popular than the Sicilian or French, but it is a respected defence and very hard to meet if White does not know it.
What is the main line of the Alekhine?
The Modern Variation, 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3, is the most common. The Four Pawns Attack is the most ambitious.
Is the Alekhine good for beginners?
It suits players who enjoy counterattacking. It needs some patience: Black accepts less space early to target White’s pawns.
Learn every line of the Alekhine Defense
The Alekhine Lure teaches it as a repertoire: 93 lines, a note on every move read aloud, and spaced review so the moves stay with you. The first line is free.
A free account also reviews your games and shows where you left the lines. Sign up