B02 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Alekhine Defense: Steiner Variation

7/7
1.e4Nf62.e5Nd53.c4Nb64.b3
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Alekhine Defense: Steiner Variation65k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
71%46k54%
7.3%4.7k50%
7%4.5k51%
5.7%3.7k53%
5.2%3.3k56%
3.4%2.2k51%
0.2%12849%
0.2%12850%
0%2043%
0%1744%
Famous games in this line46 master games
Diaz, Joaquin Carlos (2485)Marinkovic, Ivan (2415)19880–1Reprintsev, Alexander (2470)Kopylov, Mihail (2421)19990–1Knezevic, Milorad (2460)Rajkovic, Dusan (2420)1976½–½Berg, Klaus (2375)Hansen, Curt (2505)1984½–½Kocheev, A. (2315)Sviridov, Va (2556)20190–1Kalygin, Sergey V (2497)Hachatrian, Vahagn (2370)20001–0Maljush, A. (2285)Tukhaev, A. (2564)20150–1Bersamina, Paulo (2378)Torre, E. (2446)2016½–½
Heroes of this opening Marinkovic, Ivan · Kopylov, Mihail · Sviridov, Va · Kalygin, Sergey V
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B02
Line
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. b3
FianchettoHypermodern
Read the guide: Alekhine DefenseExplore all 56 Alekhine Defense lines
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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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