Alekhines Defense: Four Pawns Fianchetto Variation
Alekhine’s Defense
Definition
Alekhine’s Defense is a hypermodern chess opening beginning with the moves 1.e4 Nf6. Black immediately attacks the e-pawn with a knight, inviting White to advance the central pawns and create a broad pawn center that Black later hopes to undermine.
How It Is Used in Play
- Provocation Strategy: By attacking the e-pawn without occupying the center, Black tempts White into overextending with e5, d4, and c4.
- Piece Play vs. Pawn Center: Black often targets White’s pawn chain with pawn breaks such as …d6, …c5, and …f6, relying on piece activity rather than immediate space.
- Flexible Move-Order: 1…Nf6 can transpose to other openings (e.g., Pirc) if White avoids 2.e5.
Main Variations
- Modern Main Line: 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6.
- Exchange Variation: 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6.
- Four Pawns Attack: 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4 Nb6 4.d4 d6 5.f4.
- Fianchetto Variation: 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 g6.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Introduced into top-level practice by Alexander Alekhine in the 1920s, the opening exemplifies hypermodern thinking: concede central space, then strike back. Alekhine famously used it against Efim Bogoljubov (London 1922), winning a celebrated game that popularized the defense. Though considered slightly risky at elite level today, it remains a sharp surprise weapon.
Illustrative Game
Bobby Fischer – Vladimir Vuković, Zagreb 1959: Fischer employed 4.Nf3 g6 5.d4 Bg7 and later sacrificed pawns for a decisive attack, showcasing the defense’s double-edged nature.
Interesting Facts
- Alekhine reportedly invented the defense in the smoke-filled Budapest coffeehouses where he tested provocative ideas against local masters.
- In the 1972 World Championship, Fischer considered using Alekhine’s Defense against Spassky but ultimately chose the Sicilian and 1…e5 instead.
- The opening enjoys steady popularity in blitz and rapid formats thanks to its ability to unbalance positions quickly.
Four Pawns Attack
Definition
The Four Pawns Attack is an aggressive system most commonly associated with the King’s Indian Defense, arising after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f4. White marches four kingside and central pawns (c-, d-, e-, and f-pawns) forward, seizing massive space and aiming for a direct assault.
Typical Move Order
- 1.d4 Nf6
- 2.c4 g6
- 3.Nc3 Bg7
- 4.e4 d6
- 5.f4 O-O
- 6.Nf3 c5 7.d5 e6 (main branch)
Purpose & Strategy
- Space Grab: White dominates the center and kingside space, restricting Black’s pieces.
- Dynamic Imbalance: Black counters with pawn breaks …c5, …e6, and sometimes …f5, undermining White’s center and aiming at the d4–e4 complex.
- Piece Development Challenge: White must develop behind the pawn phalanx (often Be2, 0-0, Qc2, and Rd1) before launching e5 or f5.
Historical Context
The line dates to the 1930s but was championed in the 1950s–70s by Soviet grandmasters such as David Bronstein and Paul Keres. In modern times, Hikaru Nakamura and Teimour Radjabov have both used it as a surprise weapon in rapid events.
Model Game
Bronstein – Najdorf, Zürich Candidates 1953: After 7…exd5 8.cxd5 Re8 9.e5, Bronstein’s pawn avalanche overran Black’s defenses, illustrating the attack’s raw power.
The Four Pawns in Other Openings
- Alekhine’s Defense: 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4 Nb6 4.d4 d6 5.f4 (same concept—advance four pawns).
- Modern Defense: 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.c4 d6 4.f4.
Interesting Facts
- Because White’s center is so stretched, computers once evaluated the Four Pawns Attack unfavorably, but neural-network engines have revived interest, showing playable lines for both sides.
- Anand employed the system (with colors reversed) via 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.f4!? against Topalov (Wijk aan Zee 1996), winning in 25 moves.
Fianchetto Variation
Definition
A “Fianchetto Variation” refers to any opening line in which a player develops a bishop to the long diagonal by first advancing the flank pawn one square (g-pawn or b-pawn for White; g-pawn or b-pawn for Black) and then placing the bishop on g2, b2, g7, or b7. The most famous examples occur in the King’s Indian Defense and Grünfeld Defense, but the concept is universal.
Typical Examples
- King’s Indian Fianchetto: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3.
- Grünfeld Fianchetto: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.g3.
- Sicilian Dragon (Black): …g6 and …Bg7 after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6.
Strategic Themes
- Long-Diagonal Control: The fianchettoed bishop exerts pressure all the way to the opposite corner (a1–h8 or h1–a8).
- King Safety: The pawn on g3/g6 (or b3/b6) and bishop often provide excellent coverage around a castled king.
- Delayed Center Play: Players adopting a Fianchetto Variation typically control the center with pieces and timely pawn breaks (e.g., …c5 or …e5) rather than immediate occupation.
Historical & Practical Significance
Fianchetto setups embody hypermodern principles championed by Réti and Nimzowitsch. They gained huge popularity in the mid-20th century thanks to players like Mikhail Botvinnik (as White) and Bobby Fischer (as Black in the Dragon). Modern grandmasters—Aronian, Carlsen, and Gelfand—still rely on fianchetto variations for their solidity.
Model Game
Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship (Game 16), Seville 1987. Kasparov employed the King’s Indian Fianchetto (White), gradually leveraging the g2-bishop and queenside pawn breaks to secure a crucial win.
Interesting Facts
- The word “fianchetto” is Italian for “little flank.”
- Grandmasters sometimes talk about “double fianchetto” systems, where both bishops are fianchettoed (e.g., the English Opening 1.c4 followed by g3 and b3).
- Deep Blue’s programmers gave extra evaluation weight to fianchettoed bishops, believing they scale well in computer calculations.