The Four Pawns Attack is white’s most ambitious try against the provocative Alekhine Defense.
For the basics of the Alekhine, watch this introductory video: https://youtu.be/aGqrrBLcaMM
The attack branches out of the main line where white plays d4. After d6, he continues with c4, chasing the knight to b6 and here the opening starts. White can now choose between two very important variations; the exchange (with taking on d6), which is the most popular way for white to play, or by playing f4, entering the dynamic Four Pawns Attack!
The move f4 is the most aggressive way for white to fight the Alekhine, and it brings another pawn to the already broad and over extended center, still neglecting piece development. The sole purpose of f4 is to be able to recapture on e5 with a pawn once black takes (which is inevitably going to happen). That way, white has kept his albeit fragile center with c4, d4 and e5. Meanwhile, black has to devise a plan of breaking open the position and activating.
There are several options for black on move 5. dxe5 is the main line and the most sensible move. There are three sidelnes worth mentioning. The Cambirdge Gambit with 5…g5 is just a bad try. It gives white a winning position, and even though it look pretty, it doesn’t work. Bf5, the Trifunović Variation mostly transposes into the main line, but it could get your opponent out of prep because of the different move order. An interesting attempt is the Fianchetto Variation with 5…g6. This move attempts to fianchetto and castle as soon as possible and enter a Pirc/Modern/KID pawn structure. The difference is that the knight is on b6 (?!) instead of f6 or g8, so you could argue whether the position is good. In any case, g6 is a rare move and gives playable enough positions for black.
The main line is what your’re going to see almost every game though. The key traits of the position are white’s central pawns and black’s struggle for activity and central squares. The Four Pawns attack inevitably gives white more space, and black is the one who has to look for counter play and pawn breaks. If black is passive and waits for too long, white is simply going to overrun him.
Even though it’s mostly avoided by Grandmasters because it’s extremely risky, the Four Pawn Attack remains one of white’s most active attempts against the Alekhine. Use it wisely!
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