Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO B04), reached after 7 half-moves: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3.

Black rook — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Black knight — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Continue from this position

5 replies continue into sub-variations from this position. Click any to drill deeper.

4…Bg4 5 lines
4…g6 2 lines
- B04 Alburt Variation
- B04 Keres Variation
4…Nb6 2 lines
- B03 Alekhine Gambit
- B04 Schmid Variation
4…dxe5 1 line
- B04 Larsen Variation
4…Nc6 1 line
- B04 Larsen-Haakert Variation

About this opening

Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code B04. ECO group B (B00–B99) covers semi-open games (1.e4 with Black playing anything other than 1…e5), with the Sicilian, French, Caro-Kann and Pirc/Modern at its heart. This particular variation is reached after 7 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3.

It belongs to the Alekhine Defense family. Within that family this is a sub-variation (the Modern Variation line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 Nf6, 2.e5 Nd5, 3.d4 d6, 4.Nf3. From this position 5 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.