Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Fianchetto Variation

Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Fianchetto Variation

Definition

A sub-line of the Alekhine Defense that arises after the moves 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 g6. White throws four pawns (e5, d4, c4, f4) into the center, while Black adopts a hyper-modern posture, fianchettoing the king’s-side bishop to g7 and preparing to undermine the bulky pawn mass with …c5, …dxe5, and piece pressure.

Typical Move Order

1. e4  Nf6
2. e5  Nd5
3. d4  d6
4. c4  Nb6
5. f4  g6
6. Nf3  Bg7
7. Nc3  O-O
8. Be2  dxe5 or …c5 (main tests)

Strategic Themes

• White’s central space: The four advanced pawns grab territory and restrict Black’s pieces, but they can become targets if over-extended.
• Black’s counterplay: The fianchettoed bishop hits the e5-pawn; timely pawn breaks (…c5 or …dxe5) aim to dissolve White’s center.
• Piece manoeuvres: Black often reroutes the b6-knight to c6 or d7–f8–e6. White seeks rapid development (Nf3, Be3, Qd2, long castling) before the center cracks.

Historical Background

The Four Pawns Attack was championed in the 1920s by players such as Alexander Alekhine and Ernst Grünfeld. The fianchetto reply (5…g6) gained popularity much later, largely through the efforts of U.S. grandmaster Lev Alburt, whose repeated successes in the 1980s earned the line the informal nickname “Alburt Variation.” Modern adherents include Vassily Ivanchuk, Viktor Bologan, and some engine books, which regard the position as sound for Black with best play.

Illustrative Game

Vassily Ivanchuk – Viktor Bologan, Novgorod 1995

After dissolving the center, Black’s fianchettoed bishop and active pieces seized the initiative, demonstrating the line’s resilience.

Interesting Facts

• ECO classification: B03.
• Because Black does not challenge the center immediately, the variation scores better for Black in rapid & blitz than in classical time controls, according to .
• Engines show near equality, but only if Black knows precise sequences such as 8…dxe5 9.dxe5 Qxd1+ 10.Bxd1 Nxc4.
• Some adventurous players experiment with a double fianchetto (…b6 and …Bb7) to intensify pressure on the long diagonals.

When to Choose It

Select this variation if you enjoy:

• Hyper-modern strategies that attack rather than occupy the center.
• King’s Indian or Grünfeld–style structures, because the piece placement is similar.
• Forcing your opponent to prove the soundness of an aggressive pawn phalanx over the board.

Fianchetto Variation (general concept)

Definition

Any opening line where a player develops a bishop to the long diagonal behind a single-pushed flank pawn (g3/g6 or b3/b6). The Italian word “fianchetto” means “little flank,” reflecting the sideways pawn move. Typical squares are g2, g7, b2, or b7.

Usage Across Openings

• King’s Indian Defense: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7.
• Sicilian Dragon: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6.
• Catalan Opening: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3.
• Grünfeld Defense: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5.

Strategic Significance

• Controls long diagonals, exerting latent pressure on the center.
• Facilitates rapid castling and king safety.
• Often cedes classical center occupation in return for dynamic counterplay against advanced enemy pawns.

Illustrative Mini-Game

This King’s Indian Fianchetto line shows how the g2-bishop influences the e4 and h1-a8 diagonals, while Black counters in the center.

Interesting Tidbits

• First systematic use of the fianchetto is credited to Howard Staunton in the mid-19th century, long before hyper-modern theory embraced it.
• World Champions from Capablanca to Kasparov have employed at least one fianchetto system in their repertoires.
• The setup is popular in computer chess because long-range bishops synergize well with engine evaluation functions.