Alekhine Defense still around?
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May 25, 2007
0
#2
Part of the problem (I think) is that there are several sound ways to play against the Alekhine. The 4-pawns, for example, can get pretty hairy. And there are quieter versions too where White simply keeps a guaranteed slight edge and conservatively moves into the middlegame. Black just has a hard time creating the kind of dynamics necessary to win games (as compared to the Sicilian or French where Black gets some solid counter-dynamics in exchange). That's what I think ;)
May 25, 2007
0
#3
Alekhine's Defense was played twice in the 2007 US Championship (a win for Black and a draw). The winner of the 2007 US Championship, Alexander Shabalov, plays the Alekhine. He defeated Nakamura with it and everyone else was afraid to play 1.e4 against Shabalov after that. When Shabalov is faced with 1.d4, he plays the Slav (he lost one game with the Slav, but still won the championship). Alekhine's Defense may be getting too much analyzed, but against non-masters, it is great. The first opening I learned was the Alekhine's Defense (Ok, I started studying openings in alphabetical order).
bump.
I have been analyzing the Alekhine, and I am curious about the following sequence:
1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. __
I don't understand why nobody plays 3. Bb5 .. . It seems as though black has virtually no response, except maybe 3. ..c6, which blocks the queenside knight in--which pretty much defeats the purpose of playing the Alkehine in the first place.
Does anyone know of a game where 3. Bb5 .. was played? Or does anyone have any convincing reason why it isn't played?
Jul 30, 2007
0
#5
Well, 3...c6 is actually a tempo-gaining move and gives black a better game. After 3...c6, both e pawn and bishop are hanging. So, let's take a look: 4. Bd3 (4. Be2 Ne4 5. Nf3 e6 6. 0-0 bd6 and black is ok ) e5 5. ed5 cd5. Again, the bishop will be menaced by a pawn. So, 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Nf3 e4 8. Bd7+ Nbd7 9. Nd4 Qb6 and black has a good game going.
If you look at these positions, black is no longer playing passively and it is black who has managed to build a center via 3...c6
I kinda agree with erik. part of the problem is that there are several ways to deal with the alekhine,like the 4 pawns for example, can get preety nasty if u don't do something quick.
i think the alekhine is the james bond of all openings, kevin spraggetts games inspired me
I like Alekhine's as a second string surprise defence. If white is prepared I believe he has good chances. If you play it regularly in a league or at a club, people can book up on it. Let's face it, white players don't spend that much time on lines against this defence. There is a place for Alekhine's in the chess universe, but I wouldn't want it as the workhorse of my repertoire against 1e4.
Ten years after the original post, the Alekhine is pretty much in the same spot: alive but hidden. I've spent some time looking at a few lines, at least in part because one of my main chess rivals played the Alekhine religiously, and I really want to like the opening. Alas, White can play the exchange variation and get a perfectly fine position where Black doesn't have his usual counterplay against overextended pawn.
I'm not saying these variations refute the opening. Rather, it's simply an opening position I dislike playing and is far too common in my experience. For French defence players, you feel similar when you face the Exchange French. If I ever find an energetic way to play such positions I'd seriously consider making Alekhine my opening.
I much prefer to use Alekhine's gun over his defense...seriously Ive played games in the past where I devastated with it.
Today I gave the Alekhine a try. My opponent played something I hadnt seen before, I propose the name "the horse chase variation" for this line
Alekhine's Defence is unsound.
See figure 4 (c). https://arxiv.org/pdf/2009.04374.pdf
In practice it is playable up to IM or GM level, but no longer at top GM level.
Oct 9, 2022
0
#15
tygxc wrote:
Alekhine's Defence is unsound.
See figure 4 (c). https://arxiv.org/pdf/2009.04374.pdf
In practice it is playable up to IM or GM level, but no longer at top GM level.
But for the rest of us, we can still have fun with it! 
2,400 games, I score 50%
Oct 10, 2022
0
#16
I’ve had success with it. I beat a 2000 level player the other day with it. Granted, my opponent made some mistakes but, in my opinion, it’s viable in the sense that it can catch people off guard who aren’t used to seeing it.
Looking at my daily games (opponents have access to opening books) and limiting it to players within a few hundred points or so of my current rating, I have 10 wins (versus two 19xx players, six 17xx players and 2 15xx players) and two losses (versus a 2246 and a 1585). The performance rating over those 12 games is more than 100 points above my current rating.
Most of my current OTB games are at my club but in my occasional tournaments against opponents not familiar with my play I also perform above my rating with the Alekhine, Those who are used to playing against the Alekhine are as successful against it as they are in other games against me.
With some caveats I consider it a reasonable opening for somebody under 2200 (maybe a bit higher) and the surprise value can be effective. The very significant caveats are that you have to be willing to be a counter-attacker and to play a position that might be cramped (otherwise avoid it and play something more suited to your style).
tygxc wrote:
Alekhine's Defence is unsound.
See figure 4 (c). https://arxiv.org/pdf/2009.04374.pdf
In practice it is playable up to IM or GM level, but no longer at top GM level.
I strongly disagree. GMs /= AlphaZero. The theory isn't developed enough and GMs don't play perfectly anyways.
B02-B05
Curious why this opening is not more popular? I used to follow Lev Albert's
games and the defense always was interesting to me, as I can force an opening
on an opponent and hopefully be more prepared and familiar in my surroundings.
Checking chessgames.com, it doesn't look like it is that popular, especially
with black winning percentages.
Why the decline in use?
It is an opening I'd like to have to play with in addition to the Sicilian Dragon\
for my answer to 1. e4. I can only focus on so much on things (less time than I
had as a teenager), so trying to built an opening repertoire again and refresh/
relearn lines.
Should I keep with Alekhine Defense or focus on the various Sicilian and
French lines that seem to be so popular?