Alekhine's Defense: Four Pawns Main Line
Alekhine’s Defense – Four Pawns Main Line
Definition
The Four Pawns Main Line is an ambitious attacking branch of Alekhine’s Defense, beginning with the moves 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4. In it, White advances four contiguous central pawns (c-, d-, e- and f-pawns) to seize space and drive the black knights backward. Black, in turn, allows this spatial grab with the long-term plan of undermining the over-extended center.
Typical Move Order & Starting Position
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4
The resulting position after 5. f4 is the tabiya (main starting point) of the variation.
Visually, White’s pawns now sit on e5–d4–c4–f4, forming a powerful but slightly loose phalanx. Black’s knights have retreated to b6 and f6, while the dark-squared bishop and central pawn breaks (…dxe5, …c5, …g5) loom in the future.
Strategic Themes
- White’s Objectives
- Maintain the broad pawn center as long as possible.
- Develop quickly (Nc3, Nf3, Be3, Bd3) to support central tension.
- Launch a kingside attack if Black delays counterplay.
- Black’s Objectives
- Attack the base of the pawn chain with …dxe5 or …c5.
- Pressure the light squares (d4, e5) with pieces and pawn breaks.
- Exploit the weakened dark squares (e.g., e4, c4) once the center opens.
Main Continuations
- 5…dxe5 6.fxe5 Nc6 – The classical and most popular reply, immediately questioning e5 and preparing …Bf5, …e6, and …Qh4+ ideas.
- 5…g6 – A hyper-modern plan by Grischuk and others, allowing White to keep the center but preparing dark-square counterplay with …Bg7 and …c5.
- 5…c5 – Directly strikes at d4 and forces White to make critical decisions quickly.
Historical Significance
• The line was popularized in the 1920s and 1930s when Alexander Alekhine introduced his provocative defense against 1. e4.
• The Four Pawns Attack fit the romantic style of players such as Efim Bogoljubow and later Lev Alburt and Vladimir Bagirov, who used it as a surprise weapon.
• Although once considered almost refuted, modern engines show it to be fully playable for both sides, giving it a renaissance in correspondence and rapid chess.
Model Game
Below is a instructive encounter where White demonstrates the attacking potential, but Black ultimately proves the solidity of counterplay.
Bagirov – Varga, Pécs 1968: after mutual blows, Black emerged on top, illustrating the delicate balance of the variation.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- In the 1950s, Soviet theoreticians jokingly nicknamed the line “the Kamikaze Attack” because White’s central pawns often dive deep behind enemy lines before being picked off.
- Bobby Fischer used the Four Pawns as White exactly once in serious play (against Arthur Bisguier, New York 1964) and won in 27 moves, then never repeated it—perhaps valuing surprise more than repetition.
- Computer engines once evaluated the starting position after 5. f4 as nearly +1.0 for White; modern neural-net engines have cooled that to a dynamically balanced 0.20-0.30, reflecting better defensive resources for Black.
Why Study This Line?
If you enjoy dynamic pawn centers, rapid development and tactical melees, the Four Pawns Main Line is a perfect laboratory. For defenders, learning Black’s counter-measures sharpens your sense of timely pawn breaks and control of weak squares.
Quick Reference
Key Position after 5. f4: White pawns on c4-d4-e5-f4; Black knights on b6-f6; central tension imminent.
Common Plans: White pushes d5 or f5; Black prepares …c5, …dxe5, …g5 or pieces to c6-b4-d3.
Summary
The Alekhine’s Defense Four Pawns Main Line epitomizes hyper-modern chess: one side concedes space to provoke an over-extension, while the other side grabs it with both hands and tries to hold on. Mastering its themes arms you with an uncompromising weapon as White and a resilient counter‐strategy as Black.