Originally posted by gaychessplayerI think Tommy meant the Ng8 variation only.
Since GM's sometimes essay Alehine's Defense (and often win with it!), I think that calling it "rubbish" is a bit over the top, unless you accompany your comments with analysis demonstrating a winning advantage for White.
I think GM Lev Alburt won the U.S. Championship at least twice, and his defense to 1 e4 was none other than 1...Nf6.
interesting game, anyone else got any. I know that I have been having trouble with the two pawns (or Chase Variation).
1. e4 Nf6
2. e5 Nd5
3. c4 Nb6
4. c5 Nd5
It seems that white just gets a huge pawn center, and while i can try to break it im not successful very often. The hardest move I have encountared is d4 where it has been especially hard to beat
Game 1318993
Game 1303798
Game 1402572
I used to play the Alekhine a lot, but I've kind of gone over to the French, Caro-Kann and 1. e5 - a phenomenon which I don't really understand myself! However, these are my best games with the Alekhine. The one with 2 Nc3 demonstrates the sort of Grunfeld type position that can arise - the change in the pawn structure is surely to Black's advantage. The Chase Variation is a bit wild, with pawn breaks everywhere and ultimate control of the centre for Black. The third game shows the weakness of White's advanced centre when controlled, and Black's potential counterplay against it.
Originally posted by SquelchbelchI've decided to use it against player's rated below 1200. Basically these guys very rarely play the Open Sicilian, so I don't get to play the Dragon and I have to play in boring closed positions. The Alekhine will avoid these boring positions and will give me a rather "solid" defense.
I don't like using it.
It makes me sweat & feel rather claustrophobic!
Here are a few Alekhine games of top players on this site.
Game 1577083
Game 1108636
Game 822129 I was surprised to see meman/Fritz on the Black side of this (meman usually played the Caro-Kann). This game goes down the lines of the Modern Variations. Capturing with the c pawn on move 5 (instead of the e pawn) and fianchettoing the g8 B is more typical (although likely riskier) nowadays - or so I believe, someone could check to see if I'm right about this. White wins here, but Black obtains a decent position out of the opening in the game above until 13...Nc4-a5, which simply is ugly.