Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...Nf6/2. e5/2...Ng8

Brooklyn variation B02 Alekhine's defence 2...Ng8?! · Brooklyn variation Black retreats their knight from White's advancing pawn. A generous assessment is that Black may continue as in the main line Alekhine (...d6, ...Bg4 etc.) with the knowledge that White doesn't have the option to play c4 with tempo, and play to undermine White's centre. Of course, the trade off is that Black has undeveloped their only developed piece, and it will take a while to get it into the action again (perhaps to g6 or f5 via e7). 3. d4 is White's best move. History Grandmaster Joel Benjamin pioneered this line and gave it the soubriquet "Brookyln" for his home town.Unorthodox Openings Benjamin Joel Batsford 1987 London Schiller Eric 54-56 Reportedly, Alexander McDonnell (1798―1835) would sometimes employ 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Ng8?! to induce White to overextend their centre.Alekhine's Defence https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/alekhinedefence.html Winter Edward 2025-11-30 2026-03-31 Chess Notes Theory table References See also