megamangt4 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Instead of taking on d6, White can gain even more space and support his e5 pawn again with f4, known as the Four Pawns Attack.

ongyj (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

It's actually 1...Nf6 and 3...Nb6. 4.c5 loses the control of d5 square. 4.b3 looks more logical on first sight. More common main line is actually 3.d4 instead, keeping eventual c4 as a future option rather than an early commitment.

83grenon25 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Alekhine Defence goes as 1.e4-Nf3 2.e5-Nd5 3.c4-Nb3 4.Alekhine Defence really is c5 or b3 by white.

ongyj (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

In case of any potential misunderstandings, I don't mean to put you down at all. There are some good stuff in this vid, as well as several others of yours. Like yourself who's exploring I'm exploring as well -- and probably I've missed some technical stuff, as I always concentrate on very basic and simple ideas to appreciate moves, especially opening moves. All comments and criticisms greatly welcomed. Thanks in advance.

ongyj (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

After ...Bg4 I don't fully understand h3. If White is so concerned, White should just play f3 with a potential of Ne4, a square you missed in your analysis I believe. Black should also be aware that a plan like ...Nb4 Bb1 (Keeping Bishop pair) Nxc4 faces a counter threat with Qd3 (threatens mate and/or capturing the c4 Knight), so preparation moves are necessary, and by then White can prevent such ideas with either b3 or a3.

ongyj (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Personally I slightly disagree on your assessment after both sides did 0-0. If anything, White seems better because of the "traditional perspective to divide the board". White's d3 Bishop is awesome on h7 (Black has no f6 natural Knight), the Bishop on c1 is well positioned without the need to move, and conventionally White can prove it's advantage in such situations in the Queenside (a,b,c files), by advancing the Queenside pawns, where Black's Queenside pawns are blocked by it's own Knights.

ongyj (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

5.exd6 is playable, but objectively speaking helps Black gain a tempo with 5...exd6 opening up the Bishop. The issue here is that White must do something as Black threatens ...dxe5 dxe5 Qxd1+, at least equalising for Black. White can consider 5.Nf3 but must know of the potential 5...Bg4 pin, or the rock-solid way to hold with 5.f4 but again it doesn't "develop". Here the option for 0-0 is still safe because Black has no good way to exploit the g1-a7 diagonal yet.

ongyj (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I'm not a good player, just a fundamental "opening explorer" myself. I enjoy "chess contributions" by various players here, but this one doesn't seem very helpful for beginners -- I know of the 10min time constraint but many moves are not discussed adequately. Some personal thoughts as follow 3.c4 is not very well explained. -- it chases Black's only active knight, but doesn't contribute to white's development at all with 3.d4 as a popular alternative easier to appreciate for beginners.

GameOverXbox (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

well besides the fact it blocks the development of the knight and opens a diagnal to your king f3? doesnt really seem like a good move. the alekhine defense dares you to over extend and after you do you should probably just develop and leave the pawns alone for a while.

DeepGlue555 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

hey what about 1 e4 Nf6 2. e5 Ne4 ?! d4 d6 ? f3 !