Alekhine Defense: Modern & Schmid Variations
Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation
Definition
The Modern Variation of the Alekhine Defense arises after the moves 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3. By developing the king’s knight to f3 instead of the older 4.c4 (the Four-Pawn Attack) or 4.Bc4 (the Lasker Attack), White adopts a flexible setup, postponing the advance c2–c4 until it can be prepared or replaced by other ideas such as Bf1–e2, c2–c3 and the quiet development of the queenside. The Modern label emphasizes that this move order became the main line only in the mid-20th century, replacing earlier, more directly aggressive treatments of the opening.
Typical Move Order and Main Branches
The position after 4.Nf3 is the gateway to several important sub-variations:
- 4…Bg4 (Classical/Modern Main Line) – Black pins the f3-knight and prepares …e7–e6.
- 4…g6 (Schmid Variation, ECO B05) – Black opts for a kingside fianchetto.
- 4…dxe5 (Exchange Variation) – Simplifies but concedes space.
- 4…c6 (Karpov Variation) – A solid, waiting approach restraining d4–d5.
Strategic Ideas
- White enjoys a broad center (pawns on e5 & d4) and aims to maintain it with c2–c3 or c2–c4, followed by Nc3, Be2, 0-0 and sometimes h2–h3 to challenge the g4-bishop.
- Black attacks the center with piece pressure (…Bg4, …Nc6, …e7–e6) or by undermining with pawn breaks (…c5 or …f6). If White over-extends, the d4- and e5-pawns can become targets.
- Because the f-pawn is still on f2, White’s king is comparatively safe, allowing slower maneuvering compared with the sharper Four-Pawn Attack.
Historical Notes
Alexander Alekhine introduced 1…Nf6 in master play at Budapest 1921, but the line with 4.Nf3 only began to eclipse 4.c4 after World War II, thanks to the efforts of players such as Gedeon Barcza, Efim Geller, and later Anatoly Karpov. The Modern Variation fits well with contemporary opening philosophy: occupy the center, but reinforce it rather than rush forward.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Short demonstration of typical ideas:
The game shows: • Black maintains central pressure with …d6 & …e6. • White eventually closes the center with c4-c5, steering play toward the queenside.
Interesting Facts
- The ECO codes B04–B05 are entirely devoted to the Modern Variation, reflecting its importance.
- Anatoly Karpov used 4…c6 against Garry Kasparov in their 1984/85 World Championship match, proving the line’s resilience even under the microscope of top-level preparation.
- The setup is popular in correspondence and engine games because of its strategic richness and multiple transpositional possibilities.
Schmid Variation (Alekhine Defense, ECO B05)
Definition
The Schmid Variation is a branch of the Modern Variation that begins after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6. Named after the German grandmaster Lothar Schmid, this line features Black fianchettoing the king’s bishop, aiming for hyper-modern pressure on the long diagonal while keeping the central pawn chain intact.
Typical Continuations
- 5.Bc4 – Fischer’s favorite; White eyes the f7-square and the c4-g8 diagonal.
- 5.exd6 exd6 6.Be2 Bg7 7.O-O O-O – a more positional path.
- 5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 – White accepts structural weakness for space.
Strategic Themes
- Dark-square battle: Black’s g7-bishop and White’s c4- or f1-bishops contest the a2–g8 diagonal.
- Pawn breaks: • Black: …d6–dxe5, …c7–c5 or …f7–f6. • White: c2–c4, h2–h4–h5 leveraging space.
- Piece play over pawns: The line often leads to fluid, piece-centric middlegames rather than fixed pawn structures.
Historical & Notable Games
Probably the most famous outing is Robert James Fischer – Pal Benko, U.S. Championship 1963/64, where Fischer used 5.Bc4 to develop strong pressure and convert the game into a trademark attacking win on his way to a perfect 11 / 11 score.
Why Play the Schmid?
- Flexibility: Black can delay committing the queen’s knight, choosing between …Nb6, …Nc6 or even …Nd7 later.
- Psychological surprise: Many e4-players expect 4…Bg4; the quick kingside fianchetto can push them out of book early.
- Soundness: Unlike some sharper Alekhine lines, the Schmid has stood up well to engine and grandmaster scrutiny.
Common Pitfalls
- Grabbing the e5-pawn too early; after 5…dxe5? 6.Nxe5 Black’s pieces can become uncoordinated.
- Underestimating 5.Bc4 – the pressure on f7 can grow quickly if Black delays …e7–e6 or …d6–d5.
- Allowing a White knight to anchor on c6 or d5 following exchanges on the queenside.
Trivia & Anecdotes
- Lothar Schmid, besides lending his name to this variation, was the arbiter of the epic 1972 Fischer–Spassky match in Reykjavík.
- Grandmaster Viktor Kortchnoi kept the Schmid in his repertoire well into his seventies, scoring several smooth wins against much younger opponents.
- Because Black retains the d-pawn, some theoreticians call 4…g6 the “Fianchetto System,” but ECO uses Schmid’s name in his honor.