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Alekhine's Defense report from your own games

Alekhine's Defense report from your own games

Provoke and counterattack. See if your Alekhine's tactics deliver results.

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Sample Report

Alekhine's Defense Report

31 GAMESSample Data
Win Rate
48%

Performance vs Other Openings

Alekhine's Defense48% Win
Other Openings43% Win

Key Insights

Central Counterplay
black
High Impact

Counterplay Against Overextended Center Missed in 58% of Four Pawns Games

What this means
In 7 of your 12 Four Pawns Attack games, you failed to challenge White's extended pawn chain (e5-d4-c4-f4) with timely ...c5 or ...f6 breaks. When you let White's center stand unchallenged past move 10, your win rate is just 29%. When you strike with ...c5 and/or ...f6 before move 10, it rises to 67%. White's center looks imposing but is actually overextended and vulnerable — your job is to attack it before White consolidates.
How to improve
In the Four Pawns Attack (1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4), prioritize undermining the center immediately. Play ...dxe5 followed by ...c5, or prepare ...f6 to strike at the e5 pawn. The key is to create multiple targets — if White has to defend e5, d4, and c4 simultaneously, the center collapses. After ...c5, if White plays d5, you get excellent counterplay with ...e6 challenging the d5 pawn. Study Alekhine's own games against the Four Pawns where Black provokes and then destroys the overextended center.
#counter-center#four-pawns#pawn-breaks
Piece Coordination
black
High Impact

Knight on b6 Stays Passive in 72% of Games Past Move 15

What this means
Your knight retreats to b6 after being kicked from d5, but in 22 of 31 games it remains on b6 past move 15 without relocating to a more active square. Knights on b6 are typically passive — they block the b-pawn and have limited prospects. Your win rate when the knight stays on b6 is 36%, but it jumps to 64% when you reroute it to d7, c6, or f5 via a maneuver.
How to improve
After retreating to b6, immediately plan to reroute the knight. The best plans are: (1) ...Nb6-d7-f8-e6 or ...Nf5 targeting the d4 pawn, (2) ...Nb6-c8-e7-g6/f5 to reach kingside squares, (3) ...Nb6-d7-c5 to pressure White's center from the side. The knight on b6 should be viewed as temporarily misplaced, not as its final destination. Spend one or two tempi to get it to a better square rather than leaving it stranded on the rim.
#piece-coordination#knight-maneuver#nb6-rerouting
Break Timing

The ...d5 and ...c5 Breaks Need Better Synchronization

What this means
In your Alekhine's games, you play ...c5 and ...d5 breaks separately rather than in coordination. Engine analysis shows 8 positions where playing both breaks in quick succession (...c5 followed by ...d5, or vice versa) would have created decisive central tension. When you played only one break without following up, White stabilized the center and maintained the space advantage in 6 of those 8 games.
How to improve
Plan your central breaks as a coordinated pair. In the Exchange Variation, after ...dxe5 dxe5, play ...c5 quickly to challenge the d4 pawn. In the Modern Variation, prepare ...d5 with ...e6 first, then follow up with ...c5 to attack the base of White's pawn chain. The principle is to create two pawn tensions simultaneously — White cannot defend both. A useful preparation sequence is ...Be7, ...O-O, ...c5, and then ...d5 when the position opens. Timing both breaks within a 3-move window is the key to equalizing in Alekhine's Defense.
#d5-break#c5-break#central-coordination

Top Variations

1
Four Pawns Attack
12 games
2
Exchange Variation
10 games
3
Modern Variation
9 games

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What we analyze in your Alekhine's Defense games

Your counterplay against White's extended center

Your handling of the Four Pawns Attack

Your timing of the ...c5 central break

Your piece coordination in cramped positions

Your success in Modern vs Classical variations

Learn This Opening

Play through the main line move by move

1.pawn to e4 (e4) knight to f6 (Nf6)

Las Negras desafían inmediatamente el peón de e4 con el caballo, provocando que el Blanco avance y se sobreextienda. Este enfoque hipermoderno invita al Blanco a construir un gran centro que las Negras más tarde socavarán. Es un movimiento provocador que conduce a posiciones as raras desequilibradas.

Opponent is playing…
1.e4Nf62.e5Nd53.d4d64.Nf3Bg45.Be2e66.O-OBe77.c4Nb68.Nc3O-O

Key Positions to Know

Critical concepts every Alekhine's Defense player should understand

The Knight Provocation

With 1...Nf6, Alekhine's Defense deliberately provokes White into advancing pawns with e5, d4, and c4 to chase the knight. The idea is that White's overextended center becomes a target for counterattack, turning apparent tempo loss into a strategic advantage.

The Four Pawns Attack

White can push f4 to create the fearsome four-pawn center (c4, d4, e5, f4). This is White's most ambitious continuation but also the most risky — the pawns can become overextended and vulnerable to Black's piece pressure and well-timed ...c5 or ...f6 breaks.

Undermining the Center

Black's main plan is to undermine White's center with ...d6, ...c5, or ...f6. Each break chips away at the pawn chain until it collapses. A perfectly timed combination of these moves can leave White's center in ruins while Black's pieces flood into the vacated squares.

Strategic Plans

♔
White's Plans

  • •B is o l ms vn ms ds g vs o bs vs t is bs ws pn hn wn u l k sn u qs hs cs dn ds d gn as gn ns in l fs pn ys c gn
  • •I cs sn dn h j f ns e wn u fs tn js as ps cs c is tn q vn pn js in fs ls fn b dn
  • •E gs h xs ys l wn bn os os bs cs gs rs gn fs u ts an qs bn hs os on qs t ms vs d b wn fn e bn r pn t h tn ns is in bn h w pn d nn an ks n tn os ds hn ps on sn hs os ys h k r sn
  • •C ys bs f c fn ys bn is t pn gn is ns pn l x wn ls rs in ws m e o n m wn rn ys on as bs o dn s m hs ln is rs hn fs hs
  • •A o d ys n g ms is ys qs c w vn h tn js dn yn fs hn in ls f h y in hn ds n fn k ms c x u u mn k ms rn m ms hs wn bs e h ns yn h hs o u f fn e in bn y is k n e f gn sn rs y u u ps vn y ps in ms n x mn js r h o n h m hs ts w ms ps t pn ns r hs n as g mn vs bn fs o f tn wn a r hs j as ls k vs l qs q qs a b on e u rs rn an fs q x os as g vs ps vs c pn e u ls cs d ps ys b hs sn vs l ds on is e n an fs o g cn rn h b is s ns sn as an o y bn rs an q q vs r
  • •L vs js y x ds q bs js rn an s yn cn fn u rn bs u yn q a fs vn o gn bs is os c o is yn cs wn k qs ks a a vs ks c r
  • •C vs w qs n hs fs in in q vn mn mn f yn wn os cn mn ts hn yn hs ds bs pn in h n r f xs cn o d fn vs a r on js ts an wn dn cs in ls o ts rs in t mn ns hs

♚
Black's Plans

  • •U rn fn ms ws cn f rs cs vs n q m vn d hs pn ks ns ds fs qs ln y vn tn sn d ps hs os ns ws f as dn wn
  • •P ys b dn js in b ts on ds f os g vn ls h pn p vs vn gn p pn xs fn ps l p ln k a on
  • •A o yn vs rs in m dn js in m on x sn d m fn gs p vs mn in e rn q b t t ns f ys is ps cn os gn on bs ln q c mn b ks as gn sn is a ps in bn a
  • •R rs r k as e dn h ps ns h gn vn c x p ns qs q sn n an ls u n ls wn sn e mn cs gs a in n m bs on t m ys h ks
  • •R mn y s wn y ys gn r w u bn d wn bn an x j fs ys d ds sn k w hn on l cn mn rs d pn rs on dn l ln t an ys r
  • •X as d cs wn gn ds cn o ts bs on js rs an qs fn y m in as a j e fn ln o
  • •M ys y c tn ms b hn a m qs e hs l b sn as ns j a nn h rn vs in j p b hs ds gn in hn x n sn ys d w as gn d j d tn

Key Variations

Explore the most important branches and transpositions in the Alekhine's Defense.

Ataque de los Cuatro Peones

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4

E k d m vs ms h in gn ls p o ks u rs h vn js ln x j q w d an h mn ns cs b w vn y j a dn g fn rn is ls ps m e as fs s ls wn rs on r ts f k an vn an os hs pn r y l s p x n x ps h bn j an r s ys vn cs as as j an ts yn f x ms ms j s bn ps ls an rs e q gn

Variante del Cambio

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6

H t on js is ns w gn sn vn hn ms an a j is wn bn gs ls ps bs ln h x gn in ln js w sn sn dn dn ns j gn o e as p bs ps x pn mn n bs in cs rn d vn gn y ys hs wn vn c s a h rs h e n o hs os s m ks as e tn a wn rn x r os ms bn qs an b on mn hs x hs rs y d f cn dn as is vs fs l ls qs ts c p

Variante Moderna

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

U c a m t ts rs m l in qs n wn sn gn p ps m ms w yn bs on x l h as os r bn w fn ds r ns on c a ms ys ms os y xs f in ds s in s wn f bs h c o m gn rs n dn f in mn bn l js ys an s n x ws hs pn h h k f on j gs ns ts f ps pn dn t e f is w c os gs k ls a k yn wn cn r in f vs w cs

Variante de Persecución

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4 Nb6 4.c5

A o yn vs rs in m dn js in m on x sn d m fn gs p vs mn in e rn q b t t ns f ys is ps cn os gn on bs ln q c mn b ks as gn sn is a ps in bn a

Opening Statistics

Original research from 3,865 real amateur games — data you won't find anywhere else.

Avg. Game Length
—awaiting data
Underdog Wins
—awaiting data
Quick Finishes
—awaiting data
Endgame Reach
—awaiting data
White's Edge
-2.2%
Favors BlackEqualFavors White

At 1200-1400

📊White's edge is 2.2% — Black actually scores better at this level.

How This Opening Changes as You Improve

RatingGamesWhite's Edge
800-1000926
+3.4%50 /0 /47
1000-1200781
+8.0%53 /0 /45
1200-1400633
-2.2%48 /0 /50
1400-1600700
+0.2%49 /0 /48
1600-1800825
-2.5%47 /0 /50

Based on 3,865 games · Updated March 2026

Why Play the Alekhine's Defense?

Enfoque Hipermoderno

La Defensa Alekhine as í h b ts g fn ys l rs fn d fn y l mn pn h n f c m ms d in a yn k y p gs as bs ps y rn yn ts a k ys ks ws u in u ks ns bn y p d k is ts gs gn as ns sn w

Arma Sorpresa

Jugada mucho menos frecuentemente que 1...e5 o 1...c5, la Defensa Alekhine atrapa a muchos oponentes desprevenidos. Los jugadores de Blancas que se centran en las líneas principales contra 1...e5 a menudo luchan con los desafíos únicos que presenta esta defensa, giving a mn qs s is f d pn rs pn h yn h ds c f x h ts bs cn t ks g

Contra Juego Dinámico

L is k ns p d pn vn hs in ms ds j qs s hs qs ms a w u j c ts ds m t c as hs g bs f c b f wn ts s bs ts wn on hn as t xs e ds f ks t m ds wn

Ajedrez de Lucha

L an o ls ds m b j p p u s yn w j ls n rs m vs on q bn ws fs rs c hs a vs ds fn hn vs h bn sn ds rs ws ts ts vn x fn hn e ks wn ps b sn ls o mn

Common Traps

Watch out for these dangerous tactical pitfalls

Trampa del Ataque de los Cuatro Peones

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 Nc6 7.Be3 Bf5 8.Nc3 e6 9.Nf3 Qd7 10.Be2 O-O-O 11.O-O Be7?? 12.c5

T m h mn k ps q ks ks on w q mn t q p y ts e bn g ys n sn r fn yn w e ls ms t pn e r vn qs w ls u an is vs fn d hs a pn r q in hs hs yn

Ardid de la Variante de Persecución

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4 Nb6 4.c5 Nd5 5.Bc4 e6 6.Nc3 Nxc3?? 7.bxc3

S b ns m ds x vs hs q rs vn is o ys d ys o in pn hn ps l os b u nn u as rn an yn j in j qs a an ls is ls bs rs xs d pn yn vs ns o n js ps l os vn x gn g in is fn ns ds ps yn

Beginner Tips

💡

D vs js f ns b ns vn m g gs an fs o yn pn on hs t b f tn in p vs n o q w ts q as

💡

H hs r dn rs c g nn g ts x ds ys m js k a rs xs vn tn is ws hs g in ls m hn qs sn b on rn js rn hs a r os yn ys vs

💡

J vs xs vn q dn g ln h ls rs yn u o w r n e in q s ks as u in rn k y a h as in ys ts an sn mn ts ps hs ds bs ln s hn ln ys ls d f as vs u tn xs j fn ps k cn ts pn

💡

G c sn f nn os r j p e vs bn fs bn s ts ms wn d x as ks bn sn wn b os ms ln bn l on fn bs rn rn ps ks y n w l rs b ds ts wn hs ts rs ms ms k r hn p k pn x c os f ys vs ts j js h k ls u

💡

P vs in wn d j sn in vn yn as fn m ys nn on xs ts c b p xs hs ps bs in ps b p vs e tn vs ps n m an hs ts q pn f ns tn ms yn h r s qs n fs f g an c yn pn b j wn w yn qn on in b ps vs

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A ts rn k rn ns vn in os ks yn mn qn d fs rs yn vs hn r hn ts ls gn ls p q f gn gs o dn

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P m gs mn r cs a rn a f o e ns j w k hs mn u sn l c t dn n u vn r gn in ts y qs m m b wn ds yn ls ns yn m on b j bs cn d gn t in mn ls cs js c gs cs n q t a l n ys cs gn ts k pn bn ns m d sn cs k b q ls js

💡

E in cn p s a ls js n ms p fn k ts ys n f gs s w n ys f e s k ys t os qs rs pn u hs d fn hn an c h j bs gn cs fn rn n ns g y ls gn rn b j vs rs vs s in pn ps ps dn gn m s ys qs js x os d mn

Common Alekhine's Defense patterns we detect

We automatically check if you fall for these specific traps.

About the Alekhine's Defense

Alekhine's Defense (1. e4 Nf6) is a hypermodern opening where Black immediately attacks the e4 pawn, provoking White to advance and potentially overextend the center.

We track your counterattacking accuracy, handling of space disadvantage, and exploitation of White's overextension. We identify where cramped positions lead to mistakes.

openings.page.sections.keyThemes

HipermodernismoProvocar al centroTiempo de caballoDesequilibrios dinámicosContraataquePosiciones difíciles y raras desequilibradas

openings.page.sections.notablePlayers

AlekhineAlburtBaburinShabalov

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alekhine's Defense analysis

Alekhine's Defense (1. e4 Nf6) is a hypermodern opening where Black immediately attacks the e4 pawn, provoking White to advance and potentially overextend the center.
Enter your Chess.com username on Kingsights to get a free, instant analysis of your Alekhine's Defense games. We analyze your win rates, common mistakes, and provide personalized improvement tips. No login or credit card required.
We track your counterattacking accuracy, handling of space disadvantage, and exploitation of White's overextension. We identify where cramped positions lead to mistakes.
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Use Kingsights to identify your specific weaknesses in the Alekhine's Defense. Our analysis shows your win rate, recurring mistakes, and provides actionable tips. Focus on the patterns where you lose most often and practice those specific positions.

Famous Games

AlekhinevsBogoljubov
Campeonato Mundial 1934 (Partida 22)0-1

E h h m qs yn e sn an w qs b gs hs ys ks a yn ls pn cs t wn gs cn x t s hn gn b fs y m hs bn pn r vn g r j ts d pn b gn k q f j an gn ks in y f vn pn r n y vs

KarpovvsAlburt
Campeonato de la URSS 19710-1

L vn n g bs s u an h qs is l in is sn pn on vs e c q ys ps tn cn r c k qs y ts ds is s c fs mn bn is x q t e n f c ys ls h j t fn bs r on rs c bn f f b

LaskervsAlekhine
New York 19240-1

A hs bn k m yn ds n s m m x j rs c fn qs d ks u mn fs y ls cs vs yn rs in h rs ms in wn ln yn ws m gs as fs n dn gs p r as j gn mn f on t ws gn x k is ys on ys

FischervsAddison
Palma de Mallorca 19701-0

G d h cn is ms ds is x b in ms g d hn os ts vn gn mn rs ts on as rn k rn r n h b mn n ts js vs wn s os q g ns gn ls c k p u cn ls u m c hs a hs fn d k e d is c y ls wn j os is gs sn

Learning Resources

video

Defensa Alekhine - Guía Completa por GM Daniel Naroditsky

course

Defensa Alekhine - GM Viktor Bologan

book

La Defensa Alekhine por GM Nigel Davies

book

La Alekhine para el Jugador de Torneo por GM Sam Collins

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