Exploring Fischer's Openings #5: KPawn vs Alekhine's Defence

[H1ghL1ghT1]

nice analyses! thx for this vid!

[99peeter99]

thanks

[steviesuperstar]

thank you , i think i gleaned something from that , lol i hope i did. v interesting thanks

[MrZingnigga]

It's baffling that more people don't use Alekhine's Defense. It really isn't more convoluted than the Najdorf Sicilian.

[mlcollins10]

yeah, and fischer didn't have computers to figure it out.

[kickinButtAlot]

great video

[goldenLUBE]

that was amazing!

[QTQuirk]

@Wuggamusprime.....i think if queen captures pawn on H3.....then the bishop can just move right to C7 attacking the rook and protecting the pawn on D4 with his queen...but i'm seriously no expert at chess so.....i dunno

[sanan22]

now I see why everyone plays the exchange variation when I play the alekhine's defence

[belzeubub]

I am bobby's long lost son from japan

[OBIT3]

The claim at the start of the video that Black has a slight plus score with the Alekhine may not be accurate. Evidently, the Alekhine does well in JRobi's database, but the shredderchess database has Black scoring 43.4%. By comparison, ...c5 scores 46.4%, while ...e5, ...e6, ...c6, ...d6, and ...g6 all score in the 44.1% to 44.9% range. It all depends on which database you look at, I suppose. At the club level, I can believe it scores better, since club players don't see it as much.

[WuggamusPrime]

When black offered to trade queens, wouldn't it have been better to take the pawn on H3?

If white take the black bishop, the subsequent capture of the pawn on G4 forks the rook and king.

Please let me know what I'm missing.

[manofmartin]

these vids are awesome! i enjoy chess as a pass time and to me the openings are the most fun! its when minds truly clash to achieve victory. thanks for the insights to destroy my friends!!!

[Muffinzeshlongun]

Fischer was a truly brilliant man.

[okrabay]

Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. My chess has improved a lot in far less time.

[aafrederic]

great post

[DSXmachine]

after B3, black advancing to E4 creates a mess for white.

[corong1997]

at 7:40, didnt black move his rook to avoid a skewer with the king and rook?

[DylHsu]

This video was informative and well narrated, but I feel as if I should remind you that Alekhine is more accurately pronounced "al-YEK-in" and most accurately pronounced "al-YO-kheen." Minor semantics though; thanks for the video.

[SuperCrams]

nice advice.good defends. but the real game is ithe middle and endgame.all of opening is good,but,if you play no good' your defends no good to.

[karenaria]

At 5:54 in the video, why did the pawn at e5 x f6? Why didn't the pawn at e5 just advance to e6 and receive protection from the B at f5? I have only been playing Chess since December 2009, so I am probably asking a question which may be ridiculed here by much more advanced and savvy players than I will ever be. Still, without an answer, novice players like me will never evolve to be more skilled. Sometimes I read condescending/judgmental replies and I don't want to ask the question. Thanks.

[jasper0012]

@karenaria I think you're quite right in the sense that capturing the f4 pawn is a bit of a mistake... I think even better for black would be to put the Queen on e7 in order to defend the pawn on e5, after that to put the bishop on d3 to harass the knight and rook, and then push the pawn to e4 to create a defender for the then 'annoying' bishop. What about you, Jrobi? BTW: thanks for the vids! Greatings from The Netherlands

[pornyhony]

Well as from my experiences I could say one should not play the Alekhine unless he really knows what he's doing. I don't remember losing against this defence once even against stronger players than me. But according to the GM statistics it has a surprisingly good rate of winning and draw too.

[InsaneCranium]

Fischer was such a little badass

[bushmaster9999able]

wonderful re-capture... keep it up son

[WorldTranslator]

Good video!

One question: Are you familiar with the Chase Variations?

It can be reached by transposition, as I have done:

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nxd5, etc.

Let me know if you have any book knowledge or if you can post a video on that?

I have a high winning % on with that variation, as black.

[revengeska]

As a Alekhine player, I've studied this stuff quite a bit, and while 5..cxd6 isn't quite busted for black, it's close. There are going to have to be some improvements in theory if it's to be viable again. Unfortunately, the best option at this point seems to be 5..exd6. I think it's boring, it's not so easy for black to play and I don't like playing it, but if you know the lines and ideas it's pretty much dead equal.

[davechucks]

At 7.59 Black Queen to D4, offering the Queen exchange was an option. The Pawn on C5 was then more threatening if White took.

[Hussar571]

in 7,33, black might play pawn to g5 rather than Rf7

[soemad5]

does anyone else think that in the alekhine defence whites white bishop and queen get a bit shafted in the after white moves its queen's pawn to suport the king's?

[Echeque5]

I have to say, I am rather perplexed as to why anyone would thumb down the line in the game I posted below, showing how to defeat the Alekhine in the exchange variation. Someone doesn't want chess information shared? Why is that?

[carsija]

relax it wasnt me :)

[EcstaCiiCCChaK]

maybe it's just a personal hate.

[MrDragonlong90]

i think iwill play alekhine

[Echeque5]

Play the Alekhine against someone who knows what they are doing and you will lose. It is a very weak defense and violates many basic chess principles that when all put together, lead to a crushing defeat for black. The Alekhine wastes tempo's, lacks proper development of the pieces, virtually ignores the center of the board and leads to a very, very cramped position for black. In the exchange variation for the Alekhine, if black plays 6... Bf5, white gets a forced win with - 7. Qf3!!

[jrobichess]

Not true, Grandmasters like Nigel Short make use of it at the top levels of chess. The Alekhine's Defence is a solid defensive strategy from black.

[Echeque5]

Nigel Short never played Bobby Fischer. Nigel Short never became World Champion. Bobby Fischer did become World Champion and regularly ripped the Alekhine to shreds. Fischer knew the Alekhine is weak, which is why he never played it. Learning from Bobby and how he crushed the Alkehine, I have never lost to the Alekhine. The worst move in the Alekhine is 1...Nf6? lol

[jrobichess]

It's still a fine defence to use. All defences have their crushing moments in some of the greatest games of chess, but it's usually because of a positional mistake from the oponent. The Alekhine's is definitely not on the "busted opening strategy" list.

[Echeque5]

Look up the following game - Matjaz Mikac, 2395, vs J. Hribar, 2015, in 1993. The exchange variation of the Alekhine Defence, totally destroyed in only 20 moves! Black doesn't make any positional mistakes, white just defeats the inherent weaknesses in the Alekhine Defence. Also, in this very video, Bobby Fischer handling castrates the Alekhine Defence. If you know how to play against it, it can be destroyed.

[Echeque5]

Here is my most recent victory against the Alekhine Defence, (amongst many). The Alekhine can be destroyed. This game took all of ten moves before black realized they were totally busted, they ended the agony and resigned - 1. e4 - Nf6 2. e5 - Nd5 3. d4 - d6 4. c4 - Nb6 5. exd6 - cxd6 6. Nc3 - Bf5 7. Qf3! - Qd7 8. c5 - dxc5 9. dxc5 - Qe6+ 10. Be3 - Resigns Note that black didn't make any, "mistakes", per se, just that the Alekhine's inherent weaknesses were exploited to the max.

[carsija]

its easy to see that 7...Qd7 is a mistake. Qc8 maintains a good defence for the black. Alekhine`s is a strong defence.

[Echeque5]

Oh? Okay, 7...Qc8. 8. c5! Now what? 8...dxc. 9. dxc Now, where does the knight go? Any square it goes to, it will be taken, for free, except d7, and then black loses their bishop that is on f5, with QXf5. If 8...Qxc5, then 9. Qxb7 and now black has just lost their rook! If then black plays 9...Qc6, then white responds with 10. Bb5 and black loses their queen! The situation goes from bad to worse! 7...Qc8 for black saves nothing. Again, the Alekhine can be destroyed.

[jrobichess]

If it was so easy to destroy the GM's would never play it, but it still gets healthy use.

[Echeque5]

Well, things do change, knowledge evolves and moves forward. Bobby Fischer took apart the Alekhine rather easily. In the game I posted above, demonstrating how to take apart the Alekhine using the exchange variation, it is cut and dried. carsija suggested a move for black, however I demonstrated how the move doesn't work and black is still busted using the Alekhine.

[carsija]

so what is your answer to 7...Qc8?? U say u have demonstrated that the move doesn`t work and that black is still busted? I can`t see any comment here.

[Echeque5]

carsija- For some reason, it isn't showing here. Odd. Towards the bottom of this page, click on, "View all 80 comments", and you will find my response to your question listed as 20 hours ago.

[carsija]

correct is 8..Qxc5 of course, and then, as you say, follows 9.Qxb7, but black doesnt lose the rook!! YOU SEEM TO HAVE OVERLOOKED THE KNIGHT ON b6?? of course you can take the rook but then you lose the queen.

[Echeque5]

carsija - If 8...Qxc5, then 9. dxc5 and black just gave away their queen for a pawn. Doesn't work.

[carsija]

ok here is how it works. I copied the first moves from the game you posted a few weeks ago, where you say you destroyed Alekhines. 1. e4 - Nf6 2. e5 - Nd5 3. d4 - d6 4. c4 - Nb6 5. exd6 - cxd6 6. Nc3 - Bf5 7. Qf3! - Qc8 Now, i suggested that 7..Qc8 is better than the move that was played in the game. And this follows: 8. c5 dxc5 9. dxc5.. and now you say "where`s the black night gonna go??" it doesnt have to go anywhere..black simply plays 9...Qxc5.

[Echeque5]

Jay, (or is it John?), are you a member of the United States Chess Federation? Curious. I've tried to look you up, but can't seem to find any J.Robi listed.

[omer131]

@Echeque5 world championship not important for me but rating list is moe important i guess.and fischer was far ahead from others in his time with rating even before he got world title.with 2780 something.closest openent was 2650 or something which you can not see this kind of difference nowadays.

[LeoBirkJeism]

@Echeque5 Fisher played Alekhine Defence two times (Game13 and 19) at the match against Spassky (1972). Why Fisher would play Alekhine in the most important match of his life, if he thinks that it is a bad choice? Study more chess before posting these bullshits.

[Echeque5]

@LeoBirkJeism - The nasty, vulgar and profane comment is not appreciated.

Things change, knowledge progresses. What was considered impossible in the past many times becomes reality in the future. 1972 was almost *40 years ago*. Good luck to you.

[alinusD]

@LeoBirkJeism lmao "Fisher". you are just jealous ;)

[alinusD]

@LeoBirkJeism Also, Study more chess also, and learn how to spell "Fischer" ;)

[subvertandusurp]

@Echeque5: If were going to dismiss every opening Bobby Fischer ripped to shreds we wouldn't be playing chess.

[Echeque5]

@subvertandusurp - Every opening has its strengths and weaknesses of course. Bobby Fischer was one of the greatest opening players of all time, many times destroying his Grandmaster opponents in the opening. This is simply amazing. To emulate Bobby's prowess in the opening particularly, is to play chess very, very well. :)

[MrDragonlong90]

i dont know how to be better with alekhine

[woodensaw]

FOR BEGINNERS: At 8:17, it's a good thing that black didn't move his bishop in front of his Queen, creating an ugly pin

[cheezlikefishy]

I got beaten by a 5 yr old

[vietmaste12]

four pawns attack always wins ;) lol

[jrobichess]

It's a good attack but far from always winning. I will be showing some ways to deal with the 4 pawns attack and get at least equality for black early in the opening. Thanks for checking out the vid!

[vietmaste12]

It's the line i play. it's very sharp, and while white's king is in the center for most of the game, black can really struggle due to the cramped position.

[vietmaste12]

That being said, it obviously won't always be winning as black will have strong ideas.

[Echeque5]

Thank you very much for posting this Jay. Whenever I study an opening, it saves a lot of time to just see how Bobby Fischer played it and then you know it *has* to be right! :) If I may suggest, I think it would be a good idea to post video's of all the openings that Fischer used and played against, so we can all learn from the best how to crush our opponents openings. :) Many times Bobby Fischer had his own tweaks to established openings that made the difference in the game.

[SNoCappidona]

thanks for this i am very interested in the alekhine because my cellphone computer always plays this opening, and i started playing it and it worked out pretty well.

[blap316]

that's pretty funny :D

[fudgemanofdoom]

i like to use the evans gambit as white. i'm old fashioned like that.

[downding]

8:32 Only alternative I saw for black was

1.f5 but then white has

2. Bc7

And black will lose the rook. Black should be able to pick up the d and h-pawn but hes down a piece and white should be able to win easily.

[downding]

8:32. Black bishop actually couldnt move away as doing so allowed White to play Qe6, which begins a mating sequence. He cant also deliver check of his own as e3, g3 are covered by white bishop as is the Black kings escape square. 1.Bc6 2. Qe6, Kh8 3. Qe7 Blacks lost at this point. 3 Rxd7 immediately loses to Qf8# 3Bxd7 loses after 4.Qxd8+, Kg7 5.Rd7# Regardless of blacks action, white has 4. Qxd8+, Kg7 5. Qe7+, Kh8 6. d8Q# (queen promotion)

[downding]

Looks like Fischer got his winning advantage, the passed D-pawn after knight exchange at 5:28. After that it was a matter of waiting for black to screw which he did with the queen exchange at 8:40. I wonder if his position might have been salvageable if he simply pulled his bishop back. I'll see if I can come up with anything.

[colourwins]

This is a definate *cool defense from Black. love it.

[echeva95]

This is called the modern variant, I think.

One question, where do you play OnLine chess?

From Spain

[fezzjr]

Free Internet Chess Server, or FICS

[Echeque5]

echeva95 - You can play chess online for free at chessworld XX88398792374XX net.

[oox122]

to easy for fischer

[davidklausa]

TOO

[jrobichess]

Fischer made a lot of games "look" easy for sure.

[jbragadeesh]

ofcourse he did :).. he was a real class!

[aminh9]

does anyone know good chess books i need mabye 5 good ones

[kadarx]

yeah if you know some books pls send me a message.

i prefer KID (king's indian defence)

or KIA (king's indian attack)

or reti opening

or some other good books

thx in advance

[Luisa7x]

the winning chess series is very good place to start

[davidklausa]

Any number of books can give you a good intro to the game. To get you started with openings, I recommend "Modern Chess Openings"

[bassieeee7]

it's great to see how fisher puts all his Queen side pawns on 1 diagonal so the other diagionals leading to the enemy castle position are open

[gman687]

i never in a million years could play that good OMG this is such an amazing video

[strongplayman]

hi jrobi!!

I am from nepal and am a great chess fanatic... Good work. I like your analysis and you have got a nice voice and good speech. Keep it up. You would do better by posting more videos on chess endings.

Regards,

Strongplayman

[HelpfulJam]

wow fischer is brilliant and I really enjoy watching these videos

[ckaspereli]

Fischer really knew how to take opponents apart,,,

[canman1878]

would it be possible for you to make a video for white against a caro kann defense?

[jamesjddong]

At 3:29, why doesn't fischer play NG3 instead of NE2? Thanks

[coachcashmoney]

Instead of Nf3. He does that because he wanted to avoid a pin. After Nf3 then the bishop can go to g4 with an annoying pin.

[theoriginalanomaly]

If cxd6 you see that black fianchettoed... it usually takes too much tempo, as you can see black was from behind the whole time. exd6 you usually see blacks dark bishop get to f6 with less tempo used.

[theoriginalanomaly]

I play the alekhine a lot... cxd6 is not good. exd6 is better... in my experience. It goes against the general rule... but so does the whole opening. As black you want to get those long diagonals. Cx closes up too much and gives too much space to white.

[seysay]

great vids man

[stvladmir]

instead of black playing f8-f7 why not move g6-g7? seems stronger to me.

I've GREATLY enjoyed your vids jrobi. Found them two days ago and have just been watching all of them since then. Keep up the good work brother!

[shadow082008]

thans for answer me and how much is it??

[shadow082008]

great video sir i want the chessbase reader to save openings and defences i have look in many pages but they´re only demos could someone tell me where can i download it full and free?

[jrobichess]

You have to buy it. Thanks for checking out the vid and commenting!

[topshonuff]

great Interpretation.. What is your chess ratings?? Have you written any books..??

[jrobichess]

Thanks for the comment and checking out the vid topshonuff! I haven't written any books yet although I would like to someday write about my experiences as an amateur.  For my chess rating I usually default to my last match video.

[mikko522]

I used to play the Alekhines Defense in rated play but white can simply get a solid position with 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 blacks main lines from here are 5....Bg4 and g6 . White has simple and solid response to both and gets the edge without much work. I dropped Alekhines for the Sicilain Dragon, Schevenigen and Sveshnikov.

[jrobichess]

Interesting comment. From the opening books I have been exploring all the GM's say it's solid. I am currently using it as black. I will take a look at your line and get back to you in this comment on my thoughts.

[mikko522]

I still play Alekhines in blitz with decent results. It was just frustrating to see white get a solid game and edge with simple developing moves in the 4. Nf3 line.

[MAfr3ak]

its not good to judge openings by their win and lose percentage

[MAfr3ak]

also, im surprised Fischer didn't play the deadly Veronezh  attack. My book on the Alekhine's defense, it shows one of Fischers games playing the veronzeh attack

[jrobichess]

I agree - I don't judge openings based on win/loss percentage, because at the end of the day it's the player playing the opening that matters. But I find it an interesting point of reference. Which book did you cover that in, I would be extremely interested in checking it out!

[MAfr3ak]

its starting out: Alekhines defense. its a very good book

[laroixhaos]

i'm really glad i found your channel.

=)

[jrobichess]

Thanks for the comment laroixhaos!

[micknek]

nice analysis and good video production.

[jrobichess]

Thanks micknek!

[MAfr3ak]

at 8:38, why not Bf3 instead of Qf3

[jrobichess]

I believe that would lead to mate after queen check, rook takes, queen promotion, king move, rook mate.

[luke19631963]

If I was playing Black I would not capture Queen with rook but play King up to g7. White still has a forced mate but taking rook now would be a mistake. Better is Qe7+ ...King back to 8th rank and now Queen takes rook with check. Then King back up to 7th rank and queen back to to e7 to check again or e8 check if king goes to f7 then mate next move with pawn promotion. Nice Video JRobi!

[Robotman42]

Berliner = jelly donut, no offense intended.

[jrobichess]

No offense taken - GM's are always interesting with their play with even the best making mistakes from time to time.

[jrobichess]

Thanks for the comment and checking out the vid Faugh!

[qabuz]

what is the software that you are using in this video?

[jrobichess]

Hi Gabuz - I use window's media encoder to record, and any chess viewer (i.e. chessbase, etc) will work fine to go through the matches. Thanks for checking out the video!

[ldonald5]

Nice Analysis,

Quick question, just wondering what program you are using here for your demonstrations?

[jrobichess]

Thanks for checking out the video Idonald - I use Windows Media Encoder to record and any chess viewer would work fine.

[sandcuffin]

I have to admit that I've never had someone playing The Alekhine's Defence aginst me but it was a good video as I wish to learn more about king's pawn oppening.thanx

[jrobichess]

It's definitely not a common defence, at least on online play, which is probably why it holds a very nice win and draw percentage against the king's pawn opening.

[floza360]

Great video. Thanks.

[jrobichess]

Thanks for checking it out floza360!

[jrobichess]

Thanks armleglegarmhead!

[armleglegarmhead]

great explanation

[ghunneyman]

Always enjoy your vids. Excellent commentary and analysis!

[jrobichess]

Thanks ghunneyman - I appreciate the comment and thanks for checking out the video!

[bthom72]

excellent video... look forward to more!

[jrobichess]

Thanks bthom72!

[airbourne777]

Great vid Jrobi. I luved it especially because the alekhine defense helped me beat my rival for the first time. Thx again!

[jrobichess]

Awesome airbourne! Glad to hear about your win!

[IEatNubs6]

alekhines defence is one of my favs.

[jrobichess]

It's definitely a strong defence, no doubt about that. I enjoy looking over games involving the Alekhine's Defence.

[poriyan1]

Wow! This is really helpful and thanks a bunch for posting it! Fischer has done it again XD!

[jrobichess]

Thanks Poriyan!

[SivakD]

Playing the knight first is something I've kind of thought of, but I don't think I'd feel comfortable doing it. After D2-D4 what would black do? D7-D5?

[SivakD]

D6 I meant...

[zgambitz]

werent openings fischer's weak point?

[jrobichess]

I don't think so, although nothing compares to his end-game.

[MediumKuriboh]

good explanation, very helpful.

[jrobichess]

Thanks for checking out the video and the comment MediumKuriboh!

[turbohorse1976]

Great video jrobi this is providing me with a lot of great teachings for the game can you give me a mention in your next video please. As these videos are improving my game from an ordinary player to quite a competent club player.

Thanks man

[jrobichess]

That's great Turbo! Very glad they are helping you out and they help me out as well as I try to make lines and positions more familiar in my mind when I am playing over-the-board.

[thunderhead27]

great job keep up the good work!!!

keep posting on your blog too :D

[jrobichess]

Thanks Thunder! I appreciate the comment!

[GreenCastleBlock]

Sweet logo at the beginning. Very professional. Maybe I need something like that.

[jrobichess]

Thanks for checking out the vid Castle!