Alekhine's Gun is a stealth game and spiritual successor to the Death to Spies series . The protagonist, KGB colonel Semyon Strogov, now operates under the codename Agent Alekhine. The game starts on 22nd November 1963, the day president Kennedy was shot, and Semyon prepares to commit suicide as his wife and daughter were killed that same day.
Each mission offers a large location that can be tackled in many different ways. At the start of the game, there are usually different objectives that can be completed in any order. There are no further clues or help, so the player must figure out the different ways to approach a situation. Before each mission, a loadout can be defined with various tools and weapons that can also be upgraded.
A typical mission requires scouting the environment first and finding a way to gather information without being noticed. This can involve taking out someone to get their uniform or credentials, or using disguises and deception to blend in. Higher-ups can still recognize Alekhine, so openly suspicious behavior often leads to an alarm where everyone will attack immediately.
There is an awareness meter that shows how suspicious people are, as well as many items in the environment that can be used to aid in stealth, such as cover and disguises. The game also features a variety of methods for taking out enemies, including garroting and dragging bodies to different locations. With four difficulty levels, players must adapt their approach to suit the AI's behavior.