ECO code: B03
Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack, 5...dxe5
The Four Pawns Attack is an aggressive variation where White pushes multiple central pawns early to gain space and challenge Black's position. After 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4, White has established a strong pawn center aiming for a dominant spatial advantage.
By playing 5...dxe5, Black immediately challenges White's central control by capturing a pawn. This move is characteristic of Black's attempt to undermine White’s ambitious pawn center rather than simply retreating or defending passively. It leads to dynamic play where Black tries to open lines and counterattack White’s advanced pawns.
From White’s perspective, this is an attacking opening focused heavily on controlling and occupying the center with pawns. Black’s 5...dxe5 is a defensive and counterattacking response aimed at destabilizing White’s center and preventing White from maintaining an overwhelming spatial advantage.
Overall, this variation revolves around intense central tension, with both sides contesting control of the center — White by building a large pawn presence, and Black by timely pawn exchanges and piece activity to challenge that center.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Alekhine: Four Pawns Attack, 5...dxe5, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 5 - Move #9 white