Alekhine's Defense: Four Pawns Main Line (Tartakower)
Alekhine’s Defense
Definition
Alekhine’s Defense is a hyper-modern reply to 1.e4 that begins 1…Nf6. Black immediately attacks the e-pawn and invites White to advance it with 2.e5, hoping the advanced pawns will later become targets. The opening is named after the 4th World Champion, Alexander Alekhine, who introduced it in tournament play in Budapest 1921.
Typical Move-Order (ECO codes B02-B05)
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 (halts the e-pawn) 4.c4 Nb6 5.Nc3, 5.f4, or 5.exd6 are the main branches. From the very first moves the game becomes confrontational: Black willingly surrenders space to undermine the white center later with …d6, …c5, …Bg7, and piece pressure.
Strategic Significance
- Hyper-modern spirit: control the center with pieces, not pawns.
- Psychological weapon: forces the opponent into unfamiliar structures early.
- Dynamic imbalance: White gains space; Black gets targets and counter-play.
Historical Notes
- First played by Alexander Alekhine against Endre Steiner, Budapest 1921—Alekhine won in 25 moves.
- Rarely used in World-Championship matches, but Bobby Fischer tried it twice against Boris Spassky in 1972 (Games 13 & 19, both draws).
Illustrative Mini-Game
The game Bronstein–Gheorghiu, Skopje 1971 shows Black’s thematic …d6 break, piece pressure on d4 and f-file, and swift counter-attack.
Interesting Facts
- Alekhine himself scored +9 =13 -2 with the defense during his career—excellent for such a provocative opening.
- The opening influenced the development of hyper-modern ideas in other systems such as the Grünfeld and Pirc.
Four Pawns Attack (Alekhine’s Defense)
Definition
The Four Pawns Attack is an ambitious variation beginning 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4. White plants four pawns (e5-d4-c4-f4) in the center and on the kingside, aiming to overrun Black before the pawns become over-extended.
Main Line Sequence
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 Nc6 (ECO B03). From this point, 7.Be3 or 7.Nf3 lead to the principal branches.
Strategic Themes
- Space & Initiative: White’s pawns cramp Black and clear lines for a kingside assault.
- Targeted Center: Black plays …c5, …Nc6, …Bg7 to chip away at the pawn phalanx.
- Piece Activity vs. Pawn Mass: If Black survives the middlegame, the advanced pawns may fall and the ending favours Black.
Model Game
Kamsky – Shabalov, New York Open 1989 demonstrates how both sides mobilize: White for a kingside push, Black for central counterplay.
Fun Facts
- The line was a favourite of Latvian attacking legend Leonid Stein in the 1960s.
- Computers judge the position as roughly equal, but the practical complexity often favours the better-prepared player.
Main Line (in Opening Theory)
Definition
“Main line” denotes the sequence of moves traditionally regarded as the most critical and heavily analysed continuation of a given opening. It contrasts with sidelines and off-beat systems.
Usage in Chess Literature
- Annotated games: “After 7.Be3 Bf5 we reach the main line of the Four Pawns Attack.”
- Opening manuals: Chapters are often structured Main Line → Alternatives → Rare Lines.
- Engine analysis: The PV (“principal variation”) shown at depth 30+ is a modern analogue of the main line.
Main Line of the Four Pawns Attack
The accepted critical test against the Four Pawns Attack is:
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 Nc6.
This move (…Nc6) piles pressure on d4 and c4 while accelerating development. The bulk of high-level theory and practical experience branches from this position.
Historical Note
As opening theory evolved, certain variants (e.g., Queen’s Gambit Declined 6…b6) crystallised into “main lines” because elite players—Kasparov, Karpov, Carlsen—chose them repeatedly in critical games, causing theory to focus on those paths.
Tartakower Variation (Alekhine’s Defense, Four Pawns Main Line)
Definition
The Tartakower Variation arises after 7.Be3 Bf5 in the main line of the Four Pawns Attack:
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 Nc6 7.Be3 Bf5 (ECO B03).
Named for Grandmaster Savielly Tartakower, the move 7…Bf5 develops the bishop actively, targets c4, and prepares …e6 and long-term central breaks.
Strategic Ideas
- Piece Pressure: The bishop on f5 eyes d3 and c2, discouraging White from leisurely development.
- Timely …e6: Reinforces d5 and opens the diagonal for the c8-bishop.
- Queenside Knight Manoeuvres: …Nb4, …a5 can chip at c4 while the other knight often heads for d3 or c4 after …b6…Na5.
Theoretical Status
The variation is considered sound; modern engines give Black full equality with best play. Alternatives for Black at move 7 include the Keres Variation (7…Bg4) and the Fischer Plan (7…g6), but 7…Bf5 remains a cornerstone of theoretical debate.
Example Position
After 8.Nc3 e6 9.Nf3 Be7 10.Be2 O-O we reach:
White: King g1, Queen d1, Rooks a1/f1, Knights c3/f3, Bishops e2/e3, pawns a2,b2,c4,d4,e5,f4,g2,h2.
Black: King g8, Queen d8, Rooks a8/f8, Knights b6/c6, Bishops f5/e7, pawns a7,b7,c7,d6,e6,f7,g7,h7.
Black’s pieces are harmoniously placed, and the next moves—…dxe5 or …f6—begin to dismantle the centre.
Notable Games
- Geller – Tartakower, Paris 1933 (consultation): the origin of the line; Black equalised comfortably.
- Nakamura – Vachier-Lagrave, Internet Blitz 2020: modern engine-assisted battle ending in a sharp draw.
Trivia
- Tartakower humorously referred to his systems as “The Tartakower Recipe: give your opponent enough rope to hang himself.”
- The Polish-French grandmaster preferred openings that offered strategic flexibility, and 7…Bf5 fits the bill perfectly.