Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack

Before the first move

The Four Pawns Attack is White's most aggressive response to the Alekhine Defense. White builds a massive central wall of pawns to seize space and kick Black's knight around the board. Black's strategy is to lure these pawns forward, hoping they become overextended and weak targets for a later counterattack.

1. e4White

White starts with e4, the most common opening move, claiming space and preparing rapid development. By occupying the center, White challenges you to respond immediately. You can choose from many replies: the symmetrical e5, the solid c6 (Caro-Kann), or the sharp c5 (Sicilian Defense).

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This is the defining move of the Alekhine Defense, immediately attacking the e4-pawn. You are inviting White to chase your knight with their pawns, planning to prove that White's central expansion is actually a liability rather than an advantage.

Other paths here: f6 (Barnes Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense) · h6 (Carr Defense) · f5 (Duras Gambit)

2. e5White

White plays e5, the most ambitious and critical response, gaining a tempo by attacking your knight. Your knight is now under fire and must find a new home. While moving back to g8 is the rare Brooklyn Variation, the central jump to d5 is the standard and most challenging reply.

Other paths here: Nf3 (John Tracy Gambit) · Bc4 (Alekhine Defense: Krejcik Variation) · d3 (Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation) · Nc3 (Alekhine: Scandinavian Variation)

2... Nd5Black · your move

Move your knight to d5. This centralizes your piece and places it on a powerful outpost where it cannot be easily removed by pawns for the moment. From d5, your knight exerts pressure on the center and prepares to relocate if White continues their pawn storm.

Other paths here: Ng8 (Alekhine Defense: Brooklyn Variation) · Ne4 (Alekhine Defense: Mokele Mbembe)

3. d4White

White plays d4, establishing a formidable duo of pawns in the center. You must now decide how to challenge this structure. The most common response is d6 to undermine the e5-pawn, though the O'Sullivan Gambit with b5 or the Wall Variation with c5 are sharper alternatives.

Other paths here: Na3 (Alekhine Defense: Buckley Attack) · Nc3 (Alekhine Defense: Sämisch Attack) · c4 (Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack) · b3 (Alekhine Defense: Welling Variation)

3... d6Black · your move

Push your pawn to d6. This is a vital strike against White's center, challenging the e5-pawn directly. You need to break down White's pawn wall before it becomes too restrictive. This move also opens lines for your light-squared bishop and prepares to further harass White's advanced pawns.

Other paths here: b5 (Alekhine Defense: O'Sullivan Gambit) · c5 (Wall Variation, Alekhine)

4. c4White

White plays c4, the Two Pawns Attack, forcing your knight to move once again. White is fully committed to a massive pawn center. While White could have played the Modern Variation with Nf3 or exchanged on d6, they are choosing the most aggressive path available.

Other paths here: Bc4 (Alekhine Defense: Balogh Variation) · exd6 (Alekhine: 3.d4 d6 4.exd6) · Nf3 (Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation)

4... Nb6Black · your move

Move your knight to b6. Your knight has been kicked around, but it now finds a relatively safe home on the queenside. From here, it keeps an eye on the c4-pawn and waits for the moment when White's overextended center begins to show signs of weakness.

5. f4White

White plays f4, the ultimate aggressive setup in the Alekhine. White has gained huge space, but their king's safety is slightly compromised and their development is lagging. You'll now look to finish your development with g6 and Bg7, preparing to strike back at the overextended center.

Other paths here: exd6 (Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation) · c5 (Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation) · Nf3 (Alekhine: 4.c4 Nb6 5.Nf3)

Where you stand

The game has reached its strategic peak. White has a massive space advantage and a powerful pawn center, but Black is ready to counterattack. Black will typically develop with g6 and Bg7, putting immense pressure on d4 and e5. White must balance their aggressive posture with careful piece development to avoid a total collapse of their central wall.

• g7-g6 Prepare to fianchetto the bishop
• f8-g7 Pressure the white center from g7
• b1-c3 Develop the knight and defend d4
• c1-e3 Support the d4-pawn and develop
• d6-e5 Trade pawns to open the center