Alekhine Defense · B03

Four Pawns Attack, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 dxe5 6. fxe5 Nc6 7. Nf3 Bg4 8. e6 fxe6 9. c5

An early pawn trade leaves the d-file as Black's avenue and the e-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. Black comes out ahead on material - White needs concrete play to justify it.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4. Theory calls this the Alekhine Defense.
• 2. e5 Puts the question to the knight on f6 - retreat, trade, or be taken.
• 2... Nd5 Repositions the knight to d5. It backs up the pawn on c7.

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