Chatard-Alekhine Attack: 6...Bxg5 7.hxg5 Qxg5 8.Nh3 9.Nf4

French: Chatard-Alekhine, 6...Bxg5 7.hxg5 Qxg5 8.Nh3 Qe7 9.Nf4

Definition

The sequence 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 corresponds to the Chatard-Alekhine Attack (sometimes called the Albin-Chatard-Alekhine Attack) of the French Defence. After Black’s principled 6…Bxg5 7.hxg5 Qxg5, White plays 8.Nh3 followed by 9.Nf4, central to this sub-variation. The line is a double-edged pawn sacrifice in which White opens the h-file and seeks a rapid kingside initiative, while Black grabs the g-pawn and tries to consolidate. The tabiya reached after 9.Nf4 is the main reference position for modern theory.

Typical Move Order

The critical sequence usually runs:

1. e4  e6
2. d4  d5
3. Nc3  Nf6
4. Bg5  Be7
5. e5  Nfd7
6. h4  Bxg5
7. hxg5  Qxg5
8. Nh3  Qe7
9. Nf4 (diagram)

Strategic Themes

• Pawn Sacrifice for Initiative – By giving up the g-pawn, White gains an open h-file, quick development, and chances to attack h7 and g6.
• Knight Manoeuvre Nh3–f4–h5/d3 – The knight heads for f4, from where it eyes h5, g6, e6 and d5, often combining with a rook lift Rh1-h3-g3/h5.
• Black’s Counterplay – Black relies on the solid e6–d5 pawn chain and looks for the …c5 break or rapid queenside development with …Nc6 and …Qb4+, trading queens if possible.
• King Safety – Castling decisions are critical; both sides sometimes delay castling, leaving the kings in the centre to avoid walking into prepared pawn storms.

Historical Background

The attack bears the names of French master Georges Chatard and former World Champion Alexander Alekhine, who popularised the h-pawn thrust in the 1920s. Alekhine famously defeated Herman Steiner (Hastings 1922) with the idea, inspiring generations of French-Defence aficionados to test the line. Although theory has evolved, the variation remains a surprise weapon even at the highest level.

Illustrative Games

• Alekhine – Steiner, Hastings 1922
  Alekhine showcases the original concept, sacrificing the pawn and overwhelming Black’s king after a swift rook lift Rh1-h3-g3. A textbook attacking game.
• Vitiugov – Short, Gibraltar 2013
  Modern treatment: Short defends accurately, returns material, and demonstrates that Black can survive with precise play and timely …c5.
• Bacrot – Morozevich, Wijk aan Zee 2005
  White illustrates a quieter approach, steering into an endgame with pressure on d5, proving that the line is not only about mating attacks.

Key Tactical Motifs

• Rook Swing – Rh1-h3-g3/h5 targets g7 and h7.
• Bishop Sacrifice on h7 – Bxh7+ followed by Qh5+ can arise if Black castles prematurely.
• Fork Tricks – Nxd5! tactics sometimes exploit the pin on the e-file if Black’s queen sits on e7 and the king is on e8.
• …c5 Break – Black’s thematic counterstrike; if ill-timed it opens lines for White’s pieces, but when prepared it frees Black’s cramped position.

Modern Assessment

Contemporary engines give Black good chances to equalise with accurate defence, yet the line remains popular in rapid and blitz because one inaccurate move by the second player can lead to a devastating attack. In classical chess it appears less often, but still surfaces as a strategic surprise.

Interesting Facts

• Alekhine allegedly coined the nickname “the Poisoned Pawn French,” echoing the Poisoned Pawn in the Najdorf, because Black’s queen is lured to g5 and can become a target.
• In some databases the whole attack (6.h4) scores above 55 % for White, but after the specific 6…Bxg5 7.hxg5 Qxg5 8.Nh3 Qe7 9.Nf4 the results level out near 50 %, illustrating Black’s defensive resources.
• Grandmaster Simon Williams (“The Ginger GM”) is a modern-day proponent, featuring the line in various video courses as a practical weapon.