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
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
Read the guide: Alekhine DefenseExplore all 56 Alekhine Defense lines
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From the archives

Alexander Alekhine played 1...Nf6 at Budapest in 1921 and made it his: invite White's pawns to chase the knight across the board, then treat the overextended centre as a target. The move had been analysed a century earlier; the name stuck to the only world champion to die while still holding the title.

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