This series provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of opening knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study any chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and knowledge.

In the Alekhine Defence, contrary to the classical methods of playing in the opening, Black does not fight for the centre with his pawns, but begins to exert immediate pressure against White?s centre. Black?s knight on f6 attacks the pawn on e4, and if it advances, then Black?s d-pawn joins into the attack against it.

A Complete Guide

The defense of Alekhine, a brave debut that defies all the classical rules of the game at the beginning of a chess game, has evolved over time into a flexible system that allows blacks to either agree to "extreme" options, or to move to three horizontal lines.