Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation position after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 Nc6 7.Be3 Bf5 8.Nc3 e6 9.Nf3 Qd7 10.Be2 O-O-O 11.O-O Be7. White: pawn on e5, pawn on c4, pawn on d4, knight on c3, bishop on e3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, bishop on e2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, queen on d1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: king on c8, rook on d8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, queen on d7, bishop on e7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, knight on b6, knight on c6, pawn on e6, bishop on f5.
Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 Nc6 7.Be3 Bf5 8.Nc3 e6 9.Nf3 Qd7 10.Be2 O-O-O 11.O-O Be7. It is classified B03 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Alekhine Defense attacks the e4 pawn with the knight on move one, deliberately inviting White to chase it with pawns. Black's plan is that the advancing pawn centre will become overextended and can then be attacked at its base.
Strategic character
Provocative by design. After 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 White has an imposing centre and Black has spent moves on a single knight — the whole opening rests on whether that centre proves strong or loose.
Who should play it
Players who understand hypermodern ideas and want to take opponents out of familiar territory with Black.
This line is a variation within the Alekhine Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 Nc6 7.Be3 Bf5 8.Nc3 e6 9.Nf3 Qd7 10.Be2 O-O-O 11.O-O Be7.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation?
The Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 Nc6 7.Be3 Bf5 8.Nc3 e6 9.Nf3 Qd7 10.Be2 O-O-O 11.O-O Be7. It is classified B03 in the ECO system. The Alekhine Defense attacks the e4 pawn with the knight on move one, deliberately inviting White to chase it with pawns. Black's plan is that the advancing pawn centre will become overextended and can then be attacked at its base.
What are the moves of the Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation?
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 Nc6 7.Be3 Bf5 8.Nc3 e6 9.Nf3 Qd7 10.Be2 O-O-O 11.O-O Be7. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation good for beginners?
Players who understand hypermodern ideas and want to take opponents out of familiar territory with Black.