Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...Nf6/2. Nc3/2...d5

= Alekhine's Defence =

2...d5
Both main options 3. exd5, and 3. e5 lead to drawish positions in their mainlines where equality is achieved easily. However, both black and white can deviate in the 3. e5 line, leading the potentially sharper positions. However, if white wants to try get a sharp game, they can play 3. d4?!, the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. However, this is considered dubious with best play, but is good for club-level and blitz/bullet play, especially given the trap potential. Other alternatives are 3. d3, 3. f3, or even 3. Bd3, but none of them give white any more than equality.

After 3. exd5 Nxd5 4. Nxd5 Qxd5, Black has a strong centralised queen and easy development, leaving equality or a slight advantage to black. After 3. e5, black will most likely play 3... Nfd7, leading to a possible transposition to the Steinitz French or a pawn exchange after 4. Nxd5 Nxe5, or 3... d4, leading to either a similar variation to Nfd7 or a complex position after 4. exf6 dxc3 where many captures are possible.

Theory table
1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5