Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...Nf6/2. Bc4

Alekhine's Defence:Krejcik Variation
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkb1r/pppppppp/5n2/8/2B1P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK1NR b
Moves: 1. e4 Nf6 2. Bc4

Alekhine's Defence : Krejcik Variation

This riposte from White is not as dangerous as it looks. The possible sacrifice on f7 seems deadly if Black dares to take the offered pawn (2...Nxe4), but in reality, it just gives black a lead in development after 3. Bxf7+ Kxf7 4. Qh5+ Kg8 5. Qd5+ e6 6. Qxe4 d5! 7. Qe2 e5!.

If Black wants to avoid this, they may try to get the bishop out of c4 with 2...b5. If White takes the pawn, Black can take the e4 pawn and he would have exchanged a wing pawn against a central pawn, but white gets a lead in development and an easier time castling.

Other options include 2...e6 and 2...d5.

To get back into more peaceful lines, Black can transpose to the Bishop's Opening with e5.

Epine Dorsal

This opening lies along what was referred to in the 19th century as the Épine Dorsale pattern now more commonly referred to as the Italian Game.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1.e4 Nf6 2.Bc4

	2	3	4	5	6
	... Nxe4	Bxf7+ Kxf7	Qh5+ Kg8	Qd5+ e6	Qxe4 d5!	=/+
	... b5	Bxb5 Nxe4	Nf3 e6	O-O Be7	d4 Bb7	=
	... d5	exd5 Nxd5	Nf3 Bg4	d4 e6	O-O Bd6	=
	... e6	e5 d5	Be2 Nfd7	d4 c5	c3 Nc6	=
Bishop's Opening (by transposition)	... e5	Nc3 Nxe4	Qh5 Nd6	Bb3 Be7	Qxe5 O-O	=