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B03bPlay as Black2 lines to train

Learn the Alekhine Four Pawns

A maximal-space system that chases Black’s knight and builds a broad pawn center. Black aims to provoke pawn advances and attack the center before White consolidates.

Practice this openingUnderstand the moves
Main line

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6

1.e41…Nf62.e52…Nd53.d43…d64.c44…Nb6

The idea

Why this opening works

The Alekhine Four Pawns gives Black a clear route to provoke pawn advances and attack the center before White consolidates. Its recurring positions revolve around space versus targets, knight tempi, and central breaks, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What to remember

  • Know the first 8 half-moves of the main line.
  • Understand the purpose of your key moves before adding more theory.
  • Practice the branches until you can respond without move-order guessing.

Move by move

The moves worth understanding

Theory sticks when every move has a job. Start with these ideas from the trainer.

Scroll down through 5 positions

  1. Position 1 of 5

    1...Nf6

    g8 → f6

    Nf6 begins the Alekhine Four Pawns plan: provoke pawn advances and attack the center before White consolidates.

  2. Position 2 of 5

    2...Nd5

    f6 → d5

    Nd5 develops or reroutes the knight toward the central squares that drive this opening.

  3. Position 3 of 5

    3...d6

    d7 → d6

    d6 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

  4. Position 4 of 5

    4...Nb6

    d5 → b6

    Nb6 develops or reroutes the knight toward the central squares that drive this opening.

  5. Position 5 of 5

    2...Ng8

    f6 → g8

    Ng8 develops or reroutes the knight toward the central squares that drive this opening.

Trainer variations

Lines you’ll meet

These are representative branches from the drill, not a demand to memorize everything at once.

Line 11. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6
Line 21. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Ng8 3. d4 d6

Quick answers

Alekhine Four Pawns questions

What is the Alekhine Four Pawns?

A maximal-space system that chases Black’s knight and builds a broad pawn center. Black aims to provoke pawn advances and attack the center before White consolidates. The Alekhine Four Pawns gives Black a clear route to provoke pawn advances and attack the center before White consolidates. Its recurring positions revolve around space versus targets, knight tempi, and central breaks, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What is the main line of the Alekhine Four Pawns?

This trainer starts with 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6. The exact move order can change by variation, so learn the purpose of each move as well as the sequence.

Is the Alekhine Four Pawns good to learn as Black?

It can be a useful part of a Black repertoire if its positions match how you like to play. Learn the main plan first, then use the drill to test the recurring replies.

Study next

B20bSicilian DefenseFight for the initiative as Black with 1...c5 — asymmetric and combative.1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5C00bFrench DefenseA resilient and strategic defense to 1.e4 with 1...e6.1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+B10bCaro-Kann DefenseA rock-solid defense to 1.e4 with 1...c6 — reliable structure and easy development.1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7

Turn the guide into recall

Now play the Alekhine Four Pawns from memory.

The drill gives you an opponent reply, checks your response, and repeats the branches that need more work.

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