Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. Nc3/3...dxc4/4. e4
| Alekhine attack | |
|---|---|
|
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
|
|
|
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
|
|
| Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 dxc4 4. e4 | |
| ECO code: D10 | |
| Parent: Slav defence | |
4. e4 · Alekhine attack
[edit | edit source]White uses the fact that the capture has left the e4-square undefended and expends their centre, revealing an attack from the light-squared bishop on the c4 pawn.
Black generally holds onto their pawn with 4...b5, preparing to push b5-b4 if White challenges their pawn with a2-a4.
4...e5 was the first main line, but players with White have shown that it is not to be feared, scoring very well against it.
History
[edit | edit source]This move was popularised after being played in round 6 of the world championship rematch between Alexander Alekhine and Max Euwe,[1] which proceeded 4...e5 5. Bxc4 exd4 6. Nf6!? (if 6...dxc3 7. Bxf7+ Ke7 with the possible continuation of 8. Qb3 Qb6? 9. Bxg8 Rxg8 10. Qxg8 ± Sarapu - Anthony Garbett 1976[2]) 6...b5 7. Nxb5 Ba6 8. Qb3 Qe7 9. O-O Bxb5 10. Bxb5 ±. Alekhine went on to win the game.
It wasn't until 1939 that players started holding onto the c4 pawn with 4...b5.[3]
Theory table
[edit | edit source]1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 dxc4 4. e4
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ... b5 |
a4 b4 |
Nb1 Ba6 |
Qc2 Qxd4 |
Nf3 Qb6 |
= | |
| ... ... |
... ... |
Na2 Nf6 |
e5 Nd5 |
Bxc4 e6 |
= | |
| ... ... |
... ... |
Nce2 e6 |
Nf3 Ba6 |
Bf4 Nf6 |
= |
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Alekhine - Euwe 1937". www.chessgames.com. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ↑ "Sarapu - Garbett 1976". lichess.org. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ↑ "Moller - Envoldsen 1939". www.chessgames.com. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
See also
[edit | edit source]
With 2...g6:
With other 2nd moves for Black:
Dutch defence