Understanding the Alekhine

Play the Alekhine by Valentin Bogdanov, Gambit Publications 2009, Figurine Algebraic Notation, Paperback, 127pp.

This book provides twenty-six annotated Alekhine Defence games with lucid explanations.  Graham Burgess, who has published several books on the Alekhine, edited the original manuscript and added some material of his own, making this volume a valuable addition for Alekhine enthusiasts.

The material is divided as follows:

 Introduction (2 pages)
White Does Not Play 2 e5 (21 pages)
The Chase Variation (14 pages)
The Four Pawns Attack (20 pages)
The Old Main Line (20 pages)
The New Main Line and 4th Move Alternatives (21 pages)
Exchange Variation (14 pages)
2 e5 Nd5: 3 Nc3 and Other Moves (9 pages)
Index of Variations (2 pages)

This book is not an Encyclopedia of the Alekhine Defence.  Nor does it have all the very latest theory, though the examples chosen are generally from the last five or so years.  The aim is to explain the main ideas behind the opening and give you a ‘feel’ for the Alekhine.  If you want to understand this opening for either Black or White, you should purchase this book.  Indeed, if you want to improve your overall understanding of chess, this book will definitely help you on your way.

Better than me describing the book, let’s look at a game example which conveys a flavour of the author’s rather unique and instructive style.