Alekhine: Two Pawns Attack, 5.Nc3

Alekhine Defence: Two Pawns Attack, 5.Nc3

Definition

The Two Pawns Attack (TPA) is a main-line system against the Alekhine Defence in which White establishes an advanced pawn duo on e5 and d4, later reinforced by c4. The most frequently cited move order reaches the critical position after:

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. Nc3.

In ECO theory this is catalogued as B03 and sometimes B04 when Black chooses early …g6. The key identifying features are:

• White’s two centre pawns (e5 & d4) cramp the knight on d5/b6 and stake out space.
• Compared with the more ambitious Four Pawns Attack (5.f4), White keeps the f-pawn in reserve, resulting in a sounder but still space-grabbing structure.
• The move 5.Nc3 supports the centre, fights for the d5-square and prepares flexible plans such as Nf3, f4, or even d5 breaks.

Strategic Themes

• Space & Clamp: The e5–pawn severely limits Black’s king-knight while d4–c4 squeezes …d5 …f5 and …b5 counterplay.
• Central Tension: Black’s main strategic task is to undermine the pawn wedge with …dxe5, …c5, or …g6 & …Bg7 followed by timely breaks.
• Piece Activity vs. Pawn Centre: White enjoys more space but lags slightly in development; Black aims to prove the pawns over-extended.
• Flexible f-pawn: Because the f-pawn is still on f2, White can choose between solid set-ups (Nf3, Be2, 0-0) or sharper ones involving f4 at a convenient moment.

Main Black Replies

1. 5…dxe5 6.dxe5 (Exchange Variation)
   Leads to early queen exchanges after 6…Qxd1+. White hopes the ending favours the space-advantage; Black banks on the pair of bishops and attacking chances on the queenside.
2. 5…g6 6.f4 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 (Modern TPA)
   A dynamic struggle in which Black delays the centre break while completing development.
3. 5…Nc6 6.exd6 exd6 (Keres Variation)
   Leads to Scheveningen-style pawn structures with colours reversed.
4. 5…Bf5 6.exd6 cxd6 (Lasker Variation)
   Black immediately fights for e4–d5 dark squares.

Historical & Theoretical Notes

• The system was popularised in the 1920s and 30s when Alexander Alekhine (World Champion 1927-35, 1937-46) introduced his eponymous defence. Ironically he himself used the TPA as White to test and refine his ideas.
• The 5.Nc3 line gained theoretical momentum after being adopted by Soviet masters such as Isaac Boleslavsky and Paul Keres in the post-war years.
• In modern chess it surfaces as a practical surprise weapon; elite players including Carlsen, Nakamura, and Vachier-Lagrave have essayed it in rapid/blitz.

Illustrative Game

Garry Kasparov – Nigel Short, PCA Blitz, London 1993

Kasparov demonstrates the typical plan of locking the centre with c4-c5, exploiting space to steer his pieces toward a kingside attack. Short’s attempt to liquidate the centre (…dxe5) left him with a passive knight on b6 and ultimately a fatal lack of counterplay.

Practical Tips for Both Sides

• White
  • Be ready to transpose into an end-game after 5…dxe5 6.dxe5 Qxd1+; know the key king walks (Ke2-e1 or Ke1-c2).
  • If Black delays …dxe5, consider c4-c5 or d4-d5 to seize more space and fix the b6-knight.
  • Do not rush f2-f4; it weakens e3/g3 squares. Wait until your minor pieces are out.
• Black
  • Time the pawn break …c5 or …e5 to undermine White’s centre before it becomes immobile.
  • In the exchange line, bishop pair + queenside majority give long-term chances; keep rooks active along open files.
  • Against c4-c5 setups, strike with …dxc5 and …Nd5 to free the queen-knight.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The name “Two Pawns Attack” predates modern opening codes; early annotators simply counted the advanced e and d pawns—quite conservative compared with the later “Four Pawns Attack,” which Alekhine himself called “dubious but dangerous.”
• Grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik used the TPA as a surprise in a 1992 junior event—right after spending a training session with Garry Kasparov, who had advised him to play more “principled” openings. Kramnik cheekily replied, “I wanted something principled and provocative.”
• Computer engines at depth 40+ now give the starting position after 5.Nc3 a near-0.00 evaluation—proof that dynamic imbalance, not static pawn counts, rules modern opening theory.

Further Study

• Books: “Alekhine Defence” by Nigel Davies; “Playing the Alekhine” by John Emms.
• Model Games: Keres–Uhlmann 1962, Boleslavsky–Averbakh 1951.
• Engine Sparring: Test ideas with a fast engine match starting from the PGN above—watch how modern silicon values the centre differently depending on depth.