Alekhine Defense: Normal Variation
ECO B02 · Alekhine Defense
The Alekhine Defense: Normal Variation (B02) is a chess opening in the Alekhine Defense family, played by Black. It arises after the moves 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5.
Moves: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5
About this opening
The Normal Variation (2.e5 Nd5) is the starting position of the Alekhine Defense: the knight accepts being chased to provoke White's pawns forward, where they become potential targets. White then chooses between the measured Modern Variation and the ambitious Four Pawns Attack. It is the crossroads from which all the major lines of this hypermodern defense branch out.