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Alekhine Defense Chess Video

The Alekhine Defense is a very modern chess defense against the widely used e4 opening from the attacking white, example is that of the Halloween Gambit. This was named after Alexander Alekhine, the man who introduced this type of defense at the Budapest tournament in 1921. In this video, Kevin explains how black counters by allowing white to pursue his knight, and eventually take control of the center using his pawns.

The Alekhine Defense starts with black, responds with knight to f6 after pawn opens to e4. The most aggressive line from white is the four-pawns-attack that's trying to take control of the center, therefore making its move with pawn to e5. To set the chase, black knight will move to d5. This is followed by white pawn to d4 which start to chase the knight. Then black pawn moves to d6, allowing space for black bishop. White moves pawn to c4 that's adding pressure to the knight, then knight moves back to d6. White continues pawn to f4 completing the four-pawn-attack and control of the center.

After the center is set-up for white, black should remember that he can no longer play passively and needs to attack the center that white has created. Otherwise, black can be crushed by the pressure white can create. The focus is to take back control at the center by attacking white pawns support even if it gambles the queen or bishop. Kevin also discusses multiple variations and extended lines of Alekhine's Defence in the video. This includes exchange variation that white will take, opting to exchange with the d6 pawn. Hit play to see how Alekhine Defense works.