No worse than the Sicilian in what sense? Both its theoretical standing and practical results in master play are significantly worse than, for example, the Najdorf.
Of course, it may still be fun and interesting to play. But from the perspective of playing accurate chess, it is certainly worse (according to the best available information).
@BigGreenShrek Robert Fischer was the world's authority on the Najdorf Sicilian, having played it exclusively and at top level for several years. In his best time he played 7 Alekhine defences to 3 wins, 4 draws and 0 losses, so at least in his expert opinion Alekhine's defence was no worse than his beloved Najdorf Sicilian.
Where has Fischer ever expressed his opinion on the Alekhine? It seems unwarranted to conclude from the fact he played it few times that he thought it was as good as the Najdorf. And his record with it doesn't really say anything about the defense -- Fischer could play 1...a6 and beat us all.
Again, I note that both current theory and practice show the Alekhine to be an inferior defense.
What is good for the top seed among themselves can be much too much for amateurs. Too much theory and too complex the positions.
I've got some semi mainlines which I know really well and can compete with players up to GM. If I were forced to play the most topical stuff like all open Sicilians I would fail miserably.
Aljechin (Alekhine) is ok, GM Teske and GM Appel play it on a regular basis. Grandmaster Suba has also played it, see the fantastic book "Dynamic Chess Strategy".
Just play the Accelerated Dragon and be done with it. Atleast black can equalize there without having to know 1000 different lines.
Either way it's the coolest opening name in chess imo :)
One of my teammates plays it, he just knows some basic concepts and one or two lines. Sometimes his opponents between 1700 - 1900 FIDE Elo are out of book on move two and can't handle the positions, sometimes he badly loses against an opponent who has prepared something. But it's roughly a 50 % score against equal rated opponents. I believe on our level it's a better practical weapon then in those 500 pages grandmaster repertoire books on mainlines. Don't forget you have to buy another 500 pages book on 1. d4 mainlines, maybe one ore two more on 1. d4 sidelines and flank openings and some two books repertoire for white.
Play whatever you like for 200 games. When you are done, look at the result percentages against similar and slightly higher rated players. If you are not satisfied, try another opening! Continue doing this until you find one that fits your style and gives good results. My choice is the Caro-Kann and I won 3 tournaments in a row with it OTB, and I'm on a 23-game unbeaten streak (OTB) using it as my main opening weapon. Whichever one gives you the best results, play it.
Virtually every defense for Black can be met with boring stuff for White if he chooses. Chess4LiveChess has an excellent suggestion. Play it for a large number of games and see how you do. Be sure to look hard at how you emerge from the opening and whether you know what to do going forward into the middle game. I see amateurs all the time reach positions that are good but then flounder in the middle game. Oh, and I'm a Caro Kann player too. It fits my style.
Thanks for all the advice guys, especially jonesmh, LM Lightss & tpr!
I'll try out some of the variations you guys talk about. It makes sense, now, in retrospect that I shouldn't have been piling my pieces on d4, even though there was no target.
@ BigGreenShrek, I feel like Alekhine's has a mostly defendable reputation, and I've had more significant & entertaining wins with it, than with other black openings I've essayed. It's a great deal of fun to play. I also feel like at my level, minuscule differences in opening advantage don't really matter.
