Continue with Google
Continue with Facebook
I'll take just a minute from you 😇
Please create a free account and continue enjoying the course.
Cheers! Charlie
Counter the Alekhine Defense
Course
62 episodes
(2 hours 49 min)
(2 hours 49 min)
Creators
GM Avetik Grigoryan
The Alekhine Defense is not very popular on higher levels and there are good reasons why.
After 2.e5, White naturally gets more space. And if they play it the right way, they can leave Black’s army suffocating.
The danger is that if White overextends their strategy could backfire on them, which is what Black is counting on.
But don’t worry, in this course GM Avetik will show you how to get an advantage with White without pushing that fine line of overextension...
See moreBelow are some of the positions taken from the course:
Get ready to fight for a better position against the Alekhine Defense!
Let's go!
What you'll learn
- The ideas and downsides of the Alekhine Defense
- A move-by-move guide to gain an advantage in this opening and smother Black for space.
- Model games that will show you how White can convert their advantage.
Course Content
-
62
Episodes -
2 hours 49 min
5
Students give this course an average of 5 out of 5 stars.
elias elkhoury
Hello is the other coming section important to counter alekhine?
I like playing chess ..
Good course and explainations! That's so good for white, but i noticed that in this episode, https://chessmood.com/course/alekhine-defense/episode/3377 at 06:38, what if the black knight, instead going back, jumps to b4? White he's some problems with c2 now.
ChessMood
Thank you!
Chess related questions, please post in the forum, PRO Members channel.
Giorgos Kechagias
Best explanations and analysis!
GM_Avetik Grigoryan
Thanks!
Llorenç Boldú Zabih
Excellent. I also thought c4 wasn't to play immediately but Nf3 and yes, blacks Bg4 is the main variation of the Alekhine Defence.
ChessMood
Super!
Artyom Manukyan
WIM_Siranush Ghukasyan
Mark Wilkin
Thank you so much this!! Great Stuff!
ChessMood
Thanks, Mark!
Marcin Wrzesiński
Great stuff:!
ChessMood
Thank you!
Devansh Shah
Crystal clear lines and explanation
GM Avetik Grigoryan
After having a successful playing career where he became the Armenian Champion in 2010, GM Avetik Grigoryan found his passion for chess coaching and switched to it full-time.
Since then, he has guided many ambitious players to become Grandmasters and International Masters and has over 10 years of coaching experience.
He believes anyone can improve at chess, with the right mood and proper direction. And with that vision, he founded ChessMood in 2018.
After having a successful playing career where he became the Armenian Champion in 2010, GM Avetik Grigoryan found his passion for chess coaching and switched to it full-time.
Since then, he has guided many ambitious players to become Grandmasters and International Masters and has over 10 years of coaching experience.
He believes anyone can improve at chess, with the right mood and proper direction. And with that vision, he founded ChessMood in 2018.
The Alekhine Defense begins after 1.e4 Nf6. Black attacks the e4-pawn right away and wants White to overextend their center after which they will use it as a target to attack.
The mainline continues as 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6.
White now has 3 different options to play against the Alekhine: the Modern Variation(4.Nf3), the Four Pawns Attack(4.f4) and the Exchange Variation(4.exd6).
Our Grandmasters recommend the Modern Variation with 4.Nf3 against this opening because it’s practical, easy to remember and offers great chances to get an advantage.
The History of Alekhine Defense
Can you guess who was the first person to play the Alekhine Defense?
According to our database, it was the great French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte! He played this opening against Madame de Rémusat.
Napoleon, playing with the Black pieces, won the game in a mere 13 moves!
However, the opening is named after the 4th World Champion, Alexander Alekhine. He first used it with the Black pieces against Steiner Endre and won the game.
How can White counter the Alekhine Defense with the Modern Variation?
In the Modern Variation, after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3, White’s initial strategy is to:
-
Maintain a space advantage.
-
Finish the development faster.
Once White develops all their pieces, they are ready to push forward and make the most out of their extra space.
Also, this variation has been played by top players like Garry Kasparov, Vishwanathan Anand and Sergey Karjakin, which speaks enough about its reputation.
Is the Alekhine Defense a good opening for beginners?
If White plays correctly, they keep a small edge. Also, the Alekhine Defense is not seen frequently at the highest level of chess. Because of this we don’t recommend beginners play the Alekhine Defense.
Did you know?
You can unlock access to ALL of our 500+ hours of Grandmaster-crafted courses!
Did you know?
You can unlock access to ALL of our 500+ hours of Grandmaster-crafted courses!
Did you know?
You can unlock access to ALL of our 500+ hours of Grandmaster-crafted courses!
Sorry for interrupting.
Success stories
Meet our students, from youngsters and adult improvers to professionals, who have raised their rating up to 500 points in 1 year!
GM_Avetik Grigoryan