Alias wrote on 09/18/06 at 07:12:04:



I don't agree that Black can avoid theory with this defense.  White can force a theoretical battle if he plays the 4 Pawns Attack.  Black had better be booked up on at least one good answer (ha-ha, if there is one) to that system.  Also, depending on how Black plays against 4. Nf3, the struggle can become theoretical.  E.g. 4...Nc6, and I also doubt that 4...Bg4 can be played without some knowledge of theory.  Finally, the Chase Variation is very sharp, and I would want to be booked up there, as well.

Although I regularly play this defense, I don't consider it a very good weapon for someone coming new to serious play.  Better to play in classical fashion, striving for space and mobility, until you understand how to do that.  Only then take a look at this defense, which in many ways is the opposite of chess.

Why not? Short told Timman once, that the Alekhine might be refuted, but for us lesser mortals it remains playable.
White's best are the popular ones of course: 3.d4/4.Nf3, 3.d4/4.c4/5.exd6 and 3.d4/4.c4/5.f4.
It's the same old story: find out if you like the resulting middle games, do your homework and play it. If you understand the opening better than your opponents, you will score well with it.