Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...Nf6/2. e5/2...Nd5

Alekhine's Defence - Normal Variation
White's pawn is now weak. It should be reinforced with other pawns. The most intuitive move is /3. d4/. But White can also keep on attacking the knight and play /3. c4/ delaying d4. An option may allow White to avoid the sharpest lines of the Alekhine : /3. Nc3/. In compensation for doubled pawns, White can accelerate his development after 3...Nxc3 4.dxc3, or strengthen his center and grab extra space with 4.bxc3.

Theory table
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'1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5'