How to beat the Alekhine Defense

Black invites White's pawns forward and attacks them later. Alekhine players are usually well prepared but have few games of practice against calm set-ups.

Three plans that work

1. Take space, but not too much

The Modern Variation (2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3) keeps a solid centre without the risk of the Four Pawns Attack.

2. Develop and keep e5 supported

Be2, O-O and c4 tell the knight to move again and leave you with more space.

3. Opponent likes the Alekhine? Try 2.Nc3

It avoids their pet lines and often transposes to calm positions they don't know as well.

A line to play

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.Be2

The pitfall

Overextending your pawns (the Four Pawns Attack) is theory-heavy and double-edged. Only go for it if you know it.

What the data says

In 131 recent games of the top 100 titled Lichess players featuring the Alekhine Defense, they scored 61% on average. Players who use it most: GM Night-King96 (71%), GM chess-art-us (78%), GM enmQ (56%), GM Funo09 (83%), GM Aronyak1 (54%), FM gepard2014 (33%), FM condansator3 (54%), GM IVK88 (43%).

Prepare against the actual player

Averages only go so far. A Alekhine Defense player has their own pet variations and weak spots. Before your next game, get a free fingerprint of your opponent, or get the full prep report ($5): every variation they play, where they score worst, and a game plan for both colours.