Alekhine Defense

In algebraic notation, f6 means column f and row 6. The Alekhine Defense begins when Black moves the g8-knight to f6 and immediately attacks White's e4-pawn. White usually advances that pawn to e5, forcing the knight to move again, most often to d5.

The Alekhine provokes space and then attacks its base

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StartNf6e5Nd5d4d6c4Nb6f4

1...Nf6 takes the knight to a square from which it attacks e4. The route and attack form one purposeful move.

Black develops the knight with an immediate provocation

After 1.e4, the Alekhine attacks the central pawn with a piece rather than a pawn.

1. 1...Nf6 takes the knight to a square from which it attacks e4. The route and attack form one purposeful move.

At first, Black appears to lose time while White gains space, meaning control of more territory with pawns on e5, d4, and sometimes c4. Black's idea is to show that those pawns are overextended: they have advanced far and may be difficult to support. Black attacks them with d6, c5, and coordinated pieces.

Timing determines the struggle. If White uses the extra territory to bring out pieces and create threats before the center is weakened, White has the initiative, meaning the ability to force Black to respond. If White pushes pawns without bringing out the pieces, Black may place pieces in front of them, stop their advance, and turn them into targets. The Alekhine provokes White's center, but it does not invite unlimited pawn moves.