Alekhine: 4.c4 Nb6 5.Nf3 – Positional Four-Pawns

Alekhine Defence: 4.c4 Nb6 5.Nf3 – Positional Four-Pawns System

Definition

The sequence 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.Nf3 is a branch of the Alekhine Defence in which White advances the c-pawn (characteristic of the Four-Pawns Attack) but chooses the modest 5.Nf3 instead of the more aggressive 5.f4. Because White still has four pawns on the 2nd and 3rd ranks and two advanced central pawns on e5 and d4, many authors call this line the “Positional Four-Pawns” or simply “4…Nb6 5.Nf3.”

Typical Move-order

Below is the most common path to the position:

• 1.e4 Nf6 – Alekhine Defence.
• 2.e5 Nd5 – Black provokes the advance to over-extend White’s center.
• 3.d4 d6 – Hitting the e-pawn again.
• 4.c4 – The Four-Pawns Attack idea: gain space and chase the knight.
• 4…Nb6 – The most popular retreat.
• 5.Nf3 – White develops and reinforces the center instead of playing 5.f4.

Strategic Ideas

Because 5.Nf3 refrains from the ultra-sharp pawn storm, the position acquires a more classical flavor:

• White’s Aims
  • Consolidate the e5-pawn with pieces, not pawns.
  • Develop smoothly (Bc4, Be2, 0-0) and prepare d4-d5 at the right moment.
  • Maintain the space advantage while avoiding structural weaknesses.
• Black’s Aims
  • Undermine the broad pawn centre with …dxe5, …c5 or …g6/…Bg7 pressure.
  • Exploit the out-posted Nb6: from b6 it eyes c4, a4 and sometimes d5.
  • Reach an improved version of King’s Indian structures where White’s e5 pawn can become a target.

Plans & Typical Continuations

1. 5…dxe5 6.Nxe5 g6 – Most reliable. Black fianchettoes and pressures d4 and e5. White often replies 7.Nc3 Bg7 8.Bf4.
2. 5…Bg4 6.exd6 exd6 – Pins the knight and opens lines quickly.
3. 5…g6 6.exd6 cxd6 – Keeps a pawn in the centre and bolsters b6-knight.

Historical & Practical Significance

The Alekhine was championed by its namesake, World Champion Alexander Alekhine (1892-1946), but the specific 5.Nf3 branch crystallised later when players looked for a sounder alternative to the risky 5.f4. It has appeared in the repertoire of many positional players, e.g., Ulf Andersson and Sergei Tiviakov, who appreciate its mix of space and solidity.

Illustrative Games

• Andersson – Vaganian, Tilburg 1981
  White manoeuvred patiently, fixed the d6 pawn as a weakness and converted in a long opposite-coloured bishop ending.
• Giri – Vachier-Lagrave, Biel 2013
  A modern top-level example showing Black’s dynamic …c5 break equalising.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Unlike the main Four-Pawns Attack (5.f4), this line scores a healthy 55 % for White in master practice ([[Chart|Rating|Classical|2000-2023]]) while requiring less theoretical memory.
• Grandmaster Sergei Tiviakov has defended the Black side over 50 times without a single loss, often steering into …g6 setups that resemble his beloved Pirc/Modern structures.
• Because the knight on b6 can look awkward, some commentators have jokingly called it “the tourist” – it watches the centre yet rarely returns home.

When to Choose This Line

Select 4.c4 Nb6 5.Nf3 if you enjoy:

• Playing with a long-term space edge rather than immediate tactical fireworks.
• Scheming for central breaks d4-d5 or c4-c5 at the optimum moment.
• For Black: testing White’s technique in a strategically rich but objectively sound position.

Key Takeaways

• The move 5.Nf3 introduces a calmer, more positional flavour to the usually sharp Four-Pawns Attack.
• White keeps flexibility: the f-pawn can still advance later (f4–f5) once development is complete.
• Black must decide quickly between liquidating the centre with …dxe5 or building tension with …g6 and …c5.