Queen's Gambit Accepted: Alekhine–Haberditz Variation

Definition

The Alekhine–Haberditz Variation is a branch of the Queen’s Gambit Accepted (QGA) that arises after the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6. • White’s third move, 3.Nf3, was popularised by the fourth World Champion Alexander Alekhine, while • Black’s symmetrical reply 3…Nf6 was systematically analysed by the Czech master Ernst Haberditz. Together, the sequence bears both names.

Move Order & Main Ideas

The basic position after 3…Nf6 sets the agenda for the variation:

White ignores the c-pawn for the moment, concentrating on rapid development and central control. Typical continuations are 4.e3, 4.e4, or 4.Nc3.
Black keeps the extra pawn but must decide how—and if—to defend it. In many lines Black intends …e6, …c5, and eventually …cxd4 to release the queenside.

A frequently seen “classical” mainline is
4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.dxc5 Bxc5, where material equality is restored and both sides reach an IQP or hanging-pawn structure rich in strategic possibilities.

Strategic Themes

Temporary pawn sacrifice. White is usually willing to remain a pawn down for several moves, banking on lead in development, space, and pressure against the isolated c-pawn.
Central tension. Because White has not committed the c-pawn, the moves e2–e4 or e3 followed by e4 often arrive with force, creating central pawn storms or isolating Black’s d-pawn.
Piece activity over material. The Alekhine–Haberditz mindset embodies classical principles: regain the pawn only when it fits harmoniously into the overall development scheme.
Flexible transpositions. After 4.e3 or 4.Nc3, play can transpose into the Classical (QGA 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4) or the modern lines with an early …a6 and …b5 popularised by Kramnik and Karjakin.

Historical Significance

• Alexander Alekhine employed 3.Nf3 as early as 1922, showing that White did not need the immediate pawn-grab 3.e3.
• Ernst Haberditz (1893-1968) produced the first deep monograph on 3…Nf6, earning the honour of having the black side of the line carry his name.
• The variation later became a favourite of Bobby Fischer, Anatoly Karpov, and Vladimir Kramnik, each contributing key theoretical games.

Illustrative Game

One of the classical model games is Karpov – Andersson, Milan 1975. The former World Champion demonstrates typical whitening-out of Black’s queenside after returning the pawn.

[[Pgn| d4|d5| c4|dxc4| Nf3|Nf6| e3|e6| Bxc4|c5| O-O|a6| Qe2|b5| Bb3|Bb7| a4|cxd4| exd4|b4| Bg5|Be7| Nbd2|O-O| Rfd1|Nbd7 |arrows|d1d4;c4c3|squares|d4;c4;b5]]

Karpov allowed Black to keep the pawn until move 7, when a4 undermined the queenside. By move 15 the extra pawn is gone and Black must cope with an under-developed queenside and hanging pawns on c5 & d5.

Typical Plans at a Glance

White
1. Develop quickly with Bxc4, O-O, and Qe2 or Qe1.
2. Pressure d5 with Nc3, Bg5, and Rad1.
3. Expand in the centre with e4 when tactical conditions allow.
Black
1. Return the pawn at a moment that yields structural or developmental benefits (…c5 or …e5).
2. Challenge the centre with …c5 and sometimes …b5, …a6.
3. Seek endgames where the queenside pawn majority may become an outside passed pawn.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

When Alekhine first played 3.Nf3 he reportedly quipped, “Why hurry to regain the pawn when my opponent prevents his own development for me?”
Kramnik used the variation in his 2000 World Championship match preparation, considering it one of the best practical weapons for Black after 1.d4.
Modern engines rate the line as fully sound for both sides, but the pawn-down positions still test a player’s nerves—making the Alekhine–Haberditz a favourite in elite rapid & blitz.

Queen's Gambit Accepted: Alekhine–Haberditz Variation