Chess Openings·Alekhine's Defence, Classical Variation

Semi-Open Game

Alekhine's Defence, Classical Variation

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

Step through

8 / 8
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

The centre is handed over on purpose and shot at from a distance. Rarely played, so a well-prepared opponent is rare too. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on d4 · e5. Nothing has been captured yet. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
8 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
34
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 2
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rn1qkb1r/ppp1pppp/3p4/3nP3/3P2b1/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 2 5

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.e4White: Pawn e2→e4
  2. 1…Nf6Black: Knight g8→f6
  3. 2.e5White: Pawn e4→e5
  4. 2…Nd5Black: Knight f6→d5
  5. 3.d4White: Pawn d2→d4
  6. 3…d6Black: Pawn d7→d6
  7. 4.Nf3White: Knight g1→f3
  8. 4…Bg4Black: Bishop c8→g4

Nearby lines

first 7 moves shared

Alekhine's Defence, Modern Variation…d4 d6 Nf3Alekhine's Defence, Four Pawns Attack…c4 Nb6 f4Alekhine's Defence, Exchange Variation…c4 Nb6 exd6Alekhine's Defencee4 Nf6King's Pawn Openinge4Open Game…e5

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Alekhine's Defence, Classical Variation?

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

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Semi-Open Game — 1.e4 met by anything other than 1…e5.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 8 moves it is White to move.