Modern Variation: 4.Nf3 Bg4 is variation 1 of 6 in the Alekhine Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO B05). It runs 26 moves and begins 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 …. White defends e5 with the knight, and Black pins it from g4. Black builds a solid chain with ...e6, castles and puts pressure on d4. Later Black trades the bishop on f3 and plays against White's centre. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... Nf6 – The Alekhine Defence. The knight attacks e4 and invites the pawn forward.
2. e5 – White chases the knight and gains space.
2... Nd5 – The knight jumps to the centre. Next Black attacks the e5 pawn.
3. d4 – White builds a big centre with two pawns.
3... d6 – Black attacks the e5 pawn at once.
4. Nf3 – The Modern Variation. White develops and defends e5 with a piece.
4... Bg4 – The main line. The bishop pins the knight that defends e5.
5. Be2 – White breaks the pin and gets ready to castle.
5... e6 – Black opens the f8 bishop and builds a solid pawn chain.
6. O-O – White castles.
6... Be7 – Black develops and gets ready to castle.
7. c4 – White chases the d5 knight.
7... Nb6 – The knight steps back to b6. From there it watches c4 and d5.
8. Nc3 – White develops and covers d5.
8... O-O – Black castles.
The lesson goes on for 10 more moves, each with its explanation.
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