Alekhine's Defense, Four Pawns Attack & Cambridge Gambit
Alekhine’s Defense
Definition
Alekhine’s Defense is the provocative reply 1…Nf6 to 1.e4. Black invites White to push the e-pawn and build an apparently imposing pawn centre that Black then hopes to undermine with timely pawn breaks and piece pressure. The opening is named after the fourth World Champion, Alexander Alekhine, who introduced it into top-flight play in 1921 (Alekhine–Ende, Budapest).
Typical Use in Play
After 1.e4 Nf6 the main continuations are:
- 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 leading to the main line complex.
- 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4 – the aggressive Four Pawns Attack.
- 2.Nc3 – the Modern Variation, gently side-stepping the main theory.
- 2.e5 Nd5 3.Bc4 – the Balogh Variation, quickly developing the bishop.
- 2.d3 or 2.e5 Nd5 3.Nf3 – quieter systems that avoid the most tactical lines.
Strategic Themes
• Hyper-modern concept. Black allows White to occupy the centre
(often with pawns on c4, d4, e5 & f4) and then attacks it with pieces and
pawn breaks such as …d6, …c5, …e6 and …f6.
• Piece activity over structure. Knights often find unusual posts
(e.g. the b6-knight in the main line) while bishops aim at the stranded white
centre.
• Imbalances. Positions can become highly asymmetrical very quickly,
suiting dynamic, counter-attacking players.
Historical & Practical Significance
Although never a universal mainstay, the opening has been employed by many elite players when they need a fighting game: Fischer, Korchnoi, Short, Topalov, and most recently Magnus Carlsen (vs Caruana, 2018 World Championship rapid playoff).
Illustrative Example
A textbook illustration of Black’s counterplay is the game V. Korchnoi – L. Shirov, Linares 1993:
Interesting Facts
- The opening was first analysed in Chess Amateur magazine by A. Alekhine himself.
- Because the very first move “violates” the classical principle of occupying the centre, Alekhine’s Defense is often cited in textbooks as the first practical example of hyper-modern strategy.
- In 1932, Alekhine played his own defence as White by starting 1.Nf3 and later transposing, showing his deep understanding of its subtleties.
Four Pawns Attack
Definition
The Four Pawns Attack is an aggressive system against the
King’s Indian Defense in which White plants four pawns on
c4, d4, e4 and f4. The standard move order is:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg6 4.e4 d6 5.f4.
How It Is Used
White’s plan is straightforward: seize a massive space advantage, restrain Black’s typical …e5 break, and if possible steam-roll the centre with e4-e5 or f4-f5. Black, in turn, allows this centre to form and then undermines it vigorously with …c5, …e5, …Nc6, …Qb6 and piece play against d4 and e4.
Strategic Significance
- Space vs. flexibility. White has more room but must prevent the centre from turning into a collection of targets.
- Typical pawn breaks. Black relies on …c5 and/or …e5; if either is successfully achieved without concession, the pawns can become weak.
- Piece placement. White’s dark-squared bishop often lands on e3 or g5, while the light-squared bishop may go to e2 or d3; Black’s knight manoeuvres (…Nf6-d7-c5/e5) are thematic.
Historical Notes
The line gained popularity in the mid-20th century thanks to games by Najdorf, Bronstein and Fischer (e.g. Fischer – Myagmarsuren, Sousse 1967). In modern chess it remains a potent surprise weapon; Richard Rapport and Hikaru Nakamura have both used it successfully in rapid & blitz.
Example Continuation
Interesting Tidbits
- The formation can also arise from the Alekhine’s Defense Four Pawns Attack (1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4 Nb6 4.d4 d6 5.f4), showing the conceptual unity of “pawn avalanche” systems.
- Bobby Fischer briefly abandoned his beloved King’s Indian after being “steam-rolled” by this attack in a blitz session with Vladimir Liberzon.
- Modern engines rank the line as fully playable for both sides, but the resulting positions are among the most complex in chess opening theory.
Cambridge Gambit
Definition
The Cambridge Gambit is an aggressive branch of the
Scotch Game beginning
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4.
Instead of recapturing the pawn on d4 (as in the classical Scotch),
White sacrifices it to obtain rapid development and attacking chances
aimed at the f7-square.
Practical Usage
• White usually follows up with short castling, Re1, c3 (often transposing
to the Göring Gambit if the pawn is returned), and a rook lift to e3-g3.
• Black can accept the challenge with 4…Nf6 (main line) or 4…Bc5,
trying to weather the initiative and consolidate the extra pawn.
Strategic & Historical Context
The gambit owes its name to 19th-century games played by members of the Cambridge University Chess Club. Though eclipsed by the more theoretical Scotch and Italian lines, it remains a favourite in club practice and rapid time-controls because the piece activity is easy to understand while one slip from the second player can be fatal.
Illustrative Game
H. Pillsbury – H. Cohn, New York 1893 is a classic demonstration:
Interesting Facts
- The same move order may also arise from an Italian Game after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4, showing the family resemblance between the Italian and Scotch.
- Because it often transposes to the Göring Gambit (with c2-c3), some early sources referred to 4.Bc4 as the “Half-Göring.”
- Modern practitioners include speedy specialists such as Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja, who use it frequently in bullet and blitz where development speed is paramount.