French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack

French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack

Definition

The Alekhine-Chatard Attack (sometimes reversed in order as the Chatard-Alekhine Attack, or simply the Alekhine-Chatard Gambit) is an aggressive pawn sacrifice against the French Defense, arising after the moves:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4!?

White immediately advances the h-pawn, threatening to tear open the kingside with 7. h5 and often offering a pawn sacrifice with 6…Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5. The resulting positions are sharp: White aims for a direct mating attack on the semi-open h-file, while Black tries to consolidate the extra pawn and hit back in the center.

Typical Move Order

The main branching point comes after 6. h4:

• 6…Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5 (the pawn-grab)
  8. Nh3! — the key tactical resource, attacking the queen and preparing 9. f4 with a dangerous initiative.
• 6…a6 or 6…c5 (the solid lines)
  Black declines the pawn, immediately striking at the white center.
• 6…h6 7. Bxe7 Qxe7 8. Qg4 — another forcing sequence that keeps the game razor-sharp.

Strategic Themes

• Open h-file attack: White’s dream is Rh3-h1 with pieces swarming the black king, often castled short.
• Central tension: Black counters by undermining White’s pawn chain with …c5, …f6, or an early …Qb6, aiming at d4 and b2.
• Pawn sacrifice vs. solid extra pawn: If Black accepts the gambit, accurate defense is required; one slip can be fatal.

Historical Notes

The line is named after the French master Georges Émile Barbier Chatard, who introduced 6. h4 in Paris 1890. World Champion Alexander Alekhine adopted and refined the idea in the 1910s-1920s, scoring notable wins and cementing his share of the name.

• Alekhine – Fahrni, Mannheim 1914: Alekhine’s queen sacrifice led to a miniature after 15 moves.
• Tal – Fischer, Bled 1961: Tal tried the gambit; Fischer coolly declined it and later won, showcasing Black’s dynamic counter-chances.

Illustrative Mini-Game

Modern Usage

The attack appears frequently in club and online play because it is easy to learn, difficult to meet. At elite level it is a rare guest—computer preparation has equipped Black with several reliable antidotes (6…c5, 6…a6). Still, it remains an excellent surprise weapon in classical and rapid time controls.

According to the 2023 Master database (games 2400+ Elo), the critical pawn-grab 6…Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5 scores 56 % for White in fewer than 200 games, underscoring the practical danger of the gambit.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• “Alekhine’s Two Queens.” In several early games, Alekhine sacrificed his original queen only to promote a new one a few moves later, producing dazzling finishes that boosted the line’s popularity.
• Morphing names: English literature usually says “Alekhine-Chatard,” while French sources prefer “Attaque Chatard – Alekhine.”
• Psychological edge: Because the h-pawn thrust comes “out of the blue,” many Black players burn clock time deciding whether to accept the pawn—useful in faster events.

Practical Tips

1. For White: Do not hesitate to castle queenside; prioritize rapid rook lifts Rh1-h3 and piece concentration on the kingside.
2. For Black: If you take the pawn, know the forcing line 8…Qe7 9. Qg4 g6 10. O-O-O Nb6!, when …Nc6 and …Bd7 untangle the position.
3. Engine check: Modern engines assess the gambit as roughly equal with best play—proof that tactical accuracy can neutralize White’s initiative.

Further Study

Classic references include “Play the French” by John Watson and “Opening Repertoire: The French Defence” by Nicholas & Klas Markø, both of which devote dedicated chapters to the Alekhine-Chatard Attack.