In 2007 we viewed Alekhine’s Defence as an excellent opening to play if
Black wants to go for the win and four years later this has not
changed. If anything, more Grandmasters are using the opening today.
Black gets a tough and resilient position with ample opportunity for
counterchances.
With 1...Nf6 he immediately throws down the
gauntlet to the pawn on e4 and tries to take the initiative from the very
first moves. This is a particularly effective game-plan at club level,
where knowledge of exact theory is sketchy and where a passive response to
immediate aggression is commonplace. So in the fully updated ABC of the
Alekhine, we take a look at how the opening stands in 2011. 1...Nf6 seems
to have a bright and enduring future. IM Andrew Martin provides sound,
active recommendations for Black, modified if necessary to account for the
passing of time and which can be used at all levels of play. To
underestimate Alekhine‘s Defence would be a big mistake indeed! Video
running time: 7 h 30 min!
