Alekhine's Defense: Two Pawns Attack - Lasker Matsukevich
Alekhine’s Defense
Definition
A hyper-modern opening that begins 1. e4 Nf6. Instead of meeting the king’s pawn with a classical pawn move, Black immediately attacks the e-pawn with a knight, tempting White to advance and create an over-extended pawn chain that can later be undermined.
Typical Move Order
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 followed by 3.d4, 3.c4 (the Two Pawns Attack), or 3.Nc3, among others.
Strategic Ideas
- Provocation: Black lures White’s pawns forward, aiming to strike at them later with …d6, …c5, and piece pressure.
- Flexible pawn structure: Black often delays committing the centre pawns to keep options open.
- Piece activity over space: Knights and bishops target the advanced white centre while Black’s own centre remains fluid.
Historical Significance
Named after former World Champion Alexander Alekhine, who unveiled it at Budapest 1921 (Alekhine – Endre Steiner) and later demonstrated its soundness in his 1924 New York tournament victory.
Illustrative Miniature
An old Alekhine vs. Johner training game where the over-extended central pawns allowed Black tactical chances.
Interesting Facts
- Only three world champions—Alekhine, Fischer, and Carlsen—have employed it regularly at the elite level.
- The opening’s ECO codes are B02–B05.
Two Pawns Attack (in Alekhine’s Defense)
Definition
A space-grabbing system versus Alekhine’s Defense that begins 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4. White chases the knight a second time and erects an e-c pawn phalanx
, hence the name “Two Pawns.”
Main Line Move Order
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. d4 d6 (reaching positions shared by the Lasker Variation and others).
Strategic Themes
- Space & central control: White enjoys a broad pawn centre on e5 and d4/c4.
- Over-extension risk: The advanced pawns become targets; Black aims for …d6, …c5, and minor-piece pressure.
- Flexible transpositions: The line can transpose into the Four-Pawns Attack against the King’s Indian or various Benoni-type structures.
Historical Notes & Examples
Emanuel Lasker was an early adopter (e.g. Lasker – Tarrasch, St. Petersburg 1914 (friendly analysis game)). Modern practitioners include Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura when they wish to test an opponent’s preparation early.
Interesting Facts
- The move 3.c4 was long suspected of being strategically suspect until computers showed that Black must play accurately to equalise.
- It is one of the rare mainstream openings where White can have pawns on c4, d4, and e5 as early as move four.
Lasker Variation (of the Two Pawns Attack)
Definition
A solid defensive choice for Black inside the Two Pawns Attack: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. d4 d6 5. exd6 exd6. Black recaptures on d6 with the e-pawn, creating symmetrical central pawns and freeing the dark-squared bishop.
Why “Lasker”?
Although Emanuel Lasker preferred 3.d4 systems as White, he analysed this recapture extensively and showed that Black’s position is perfectly playable despite the seemingly awkward knight on b6.
Plans for Each Side
- White
- Maintain the spatial bind with Nc3, Nf3, Be3, Qd2, and long castling.
- Use c5 or d5 pawn breaks to gain attacking chances.
- Black
- Undermine the pawn chain via …c5 and …dxc5.
- Exchange pieces to ease cramped minors, aiming for an eventual …d5 break.
Illustrative Game
Petrosian showed that even against a positional titan like Pachman the Lasker Variation holds firm.
Interesting Facts
- The resulting pawn structure can transpose to the Classical Benoni or the Hedgehog, depending on pawn breaks.
- Modern engines give the line a roughly equal evaluation, confirming Lasker’s early insights.
Matsukevich Gambit
Definition
An enterprising pawn sacrifice for White embedded in the Lasker Variation: after the moves 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. d4 d6 5.exd6 exd6 6.c5!? White offers the c-pawn to break open lines and keep the black knight off its preferred d5 square. If 6…dxc5 7.d5!, White gains a spatial wedge and rapid development.
Origin of the Name
Belarusian GM Andrei Matsukevich (born 1984) began analysing and playing the idea in online blitz and over-the-board events around 2010. His success popularised the line, which was later adopted by speed-chess stars such as bortnyk and Daniel Naroditsky.
Key Continuations
- 6…dxc5 7.d5 Be7 8.Nc3 O-O 9.Be3 aiming for queenside castling and a kingside pawn storm.
- 6…d5 (declining the pawn) 7.c5 N6d7 8.Nc3 c6 when White enjoys a bind reminiscent of the Advance French.
Strategic Points
- Open lines: The gambit accelerates the activity of White’s bishops and rooks.
- Knight misplacement: After capturing on c5, Black’s b6-knight often lacks good squares.
- Risk–reward ratio: Engines give White at least full compensation; in practical play the initiative can be overwhelming.
Notable Encounter
White’s extra space and safer king paid dividends despite material equality.
Interesting Facts
- The gambit is still so new that many databases list it only under the generic ECO code B02 without a sub-code.
- Because the pawn structure resembles the
Bayonet Attack
in the King’s Indian, King’s Indian specialists often feel at home on the Black side—yet they are a tempo behind.