Alekhine's Defence with 5...g6

[John Townsend]

My opponent played an enterprising move in a recent correspondence game: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 g6.

For a long time I agonized over 6.Ng5. It seemed very complicated and I didn't reach any firm conclusion, so, in the end, I played the safer 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Bxf3 c6, which continued 8. O-O Bg7 9. c4 and I felt I had slightly the better of it.

I would be interested to hear any views as to whether 6.Ng5 is good.

[John Upham]

MegaBase 2022 lists 150 games with 5...g6.

Of these 2 are considered to be "Top games".

60 games followed with 6.h3 and White scored 71.5%

34 games followed with 6.Ng5 and White scored 80.9%

After 6.Ng5 we have

6...Bxe2; 7.Qxe2, e6 8. c4 Nb6 9.Qf3 Qe7 10.Qxb7 and the game continues.

[John Townsend]

John, thank you for taking the trouble to post that.

How should John's final position be evaluated? I assume Black will exchange the centre pawns and he has then a choice of active developments for his bishop on h6 or g7, together with castling, and he also has the option of the queen check on b4.