Queen's Gambit Accepted: Alekhine Defense & Haberditz

Queen's Gambit Accepted: Alekhine Defense

Definition

The Alekhine Defense in the Queen’s Gambit Accepted (QGA) arises after the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3. With 4.e3 White calmly prepares to recapture the c4-pawn with the bishop while completing kingside development. Alexander Alekhine popularised the idea of meeting the QGA with an early e3 and rapid piece play, giving the line its name. (Note: this should not be confused with Alekhine’s Defence to 1.e4 Nf6.)

Typical Move Order

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3
After 4.e3 Black has a wide choice, the most common being 4…e6, 4…c5 or 4…Bg4 (the Haberditz Variation, treated separately below).

Strategic Ideas

• For White
  • Regain the pawn with Bxc4 and establish a strong central duo with e3–d4.
  • Keep the position flexible: the c-pawn can advance to c5 in the middlegame, and the knight on f3 eyes both e5 and g5.
• For Black
  • Develop quickly and try to hold the extra pawn, often by …a6–…b5.
  • Make use of the half-open c-file and pressure on d4 after …c5 or …Bb4+.
  • If White plays too slowly, Black can build a solid Slav-style structure with …e6, …c5 and equalise comfortably.

Historical & Practical Significance

The line has been a mainstay of top-level play since the 1920s. Karpov, Kasparov and today’s elite all keep it in their repertoires because it allows Black to enter classical QGA setups without facing the sharp 3.e4 lines. White enjoys a healthy score, but the positions are rich and give Black realistic counter-chances.

Illustrative Miniature

The following short game shows White’s typical plan of rapid development and central control:

After 11.exd4 White has regained the pawn, enjoys a lead in development, and the isolated d-pawn can become a long-term target.

Interesting Facts

• Alexander Alekhine rarely defended the QGA as Black in serious play, yet his analyses in early 20th-century magazines were so influential that the variation was named after him.
• The line is considered one of the cleanest ways for White to avoid heavy theory in the QGA while still fighting for an edge, making it a favourite at club level.
• Because 4.e3 often transposes into Colle-like structures, some coaches recommend learning this system first before diving into sharper QGA main lines.

Queen's Gambit Accepted: Alekhine Defense, Haberditz Variation

Definition

The Haberditz Variation is a branch of the Alekhine Defense that begins with the pinning move 4…Bg4:

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bg4

By immediately pinning the f3-knight, Black aims to delay White’s recapture on c4 and generate pressure against d4. The line is named after Austrian master Gustav Haberditz (1881-1919), who employed the idea in pre-World-War-I tournaments.

Key Plans and Ideas

• Black’s Objectives
  1. Hinder White’s e3–Bxc4 plan by attacking the d4-pawn.
  2. Maintain the c4-pawn long enough to play …b5, cementing the extra material.
  3. Rapidly castle queenside (after …e6, …Nbd7, …c6 and …Qc7) for a dynamic, opposite-wing battle.
• White’s Remedies
  1. Break the pin with 5.h3 Bxf3 6.Qxf3 when the queen is well placed on f3.
  2. Challenge the bishop immediately with 5.Bxc4 e6 6.h3, forcing the bishop to decide between an early exchange or retreat.
  3. Exploit the tempo gain from …Bg4 by accelerating queenside development and central expansion (Nc3, e4).

Theoretical Assessment

Modern engines evaluate the position after 5.Bxc4 e6 6.h3 Bh5 7.Nc3 as roughly equal. Black’s bishop pair provides long-term potential, but White’s superior centre and lead in development give ample counter-play. The variation is therefore considered sound, yet requires accurate handling from both sides.

Notable Games

• Yusupov – Piket, Tilburg 1991
  Yusupov calmly neutralised Black’s pressure with 5.Bxc4 and later transformed his space advantage into a winning kingside attack.
• Anand – Ivanchuk, Linares 1993
  Ivanchuk used the Haberditz to hold Anand to a draw, showcasing a modern line where Black keeps the c-pawn and castles queenside.

Illustrative Line

After 8…Nc6 Black has completed development and holds the c-pawn, but White is ready for d4-d5, opening the centre while Black’s king is still in the middle.

Trivia & Anecdotes

• The pin 4…Bg4 was long considered dubious because of ideas like h3 g4, but computer analysis revived it by showing that Black can often sacrifice the bishop pair for active piece play.
• Club players sometimes transpose into the Haberditz “by accident” when they use an automatic …Bg4 setup against Queen’s Gambit lines without realising it belongs to the QGA family.
• Because the name “Haberditz” is relatively obscure, you may surprise opponents who have studied the better-known 4…e6 main lines.