B02 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation, Matsukevich Gambit

13/13
1.e4Nf62.e5Nd53.c4Nb64.c5Nd55.Nc3Nxc36.dxc3d67.Bg5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation, Matsukevich Gambit2.1k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
32%67625%
28%58739%
16%34237%
11%22517%
5.5%11539%
2.8%5833%
2.1%4541%
0.6%1350%
0.6%1225%
0.5%1132%
Famous games in this line1 master games
Popescu, D. (2365) – Zlatic, Mihajlo (2340)19980–1
Family
Alekhine Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B02
Line
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 d6 7. Bg5
GambitHypermodern
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Nearby lines in the family
Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Main LineB03 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 dxe5 …Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Keres VariationB04 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 g6 5.Bc4 Nb6 …Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack, Mikenas VariationB02 5.Bc4 e6 6.Nc3 d6
From the archives

Alexander Alekhine introduced 1...Nf6!? in Budapest 1921: invite White's pawns to chase the knight across the board, then treat the overextended center as a target. It's provocation as strategy, from the only world champion who died holding the title.

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