Theoria
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Queen's Gambit Declined

Orthodox Defense, Alekhine Variation

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  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.c4e6
  3. 3.Nc3Nf6
  4. 4.Bg5Be7
  5. 5.e3O-O
  6. 6.Nf3Nbd7
  7. 7.Rc1c6
  8. 8.Bd3dxc4
  9. 9.Bxc4Nd5
  10. 10.Bxe7Qxe7
  11. 11.Ne4

No game statistics for this position yet.

Rare Orthodox Defense line in which White meets Capablanca's freeing maneuver with 11. Ne4, sidestepping the knight exchange on c3.

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About the Alekhine Variation

The Alekhine Variation branches off Capablanca's freeing line in the Orthodox Defense. After 7. Rc1 c6 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7, White plays 11. Ne4 instead of 11. O-O. The knight leaves c3, so ...Nxc3 is no longer possible, and the exchange that underpins Black's simplifying plan cannot happen. White keeps more pieces on the board, though the king stays uncastled for another move. The line is seldom reached in practice.

Popular continuations

No continuations known for this position yet.