ECO code: B03
Opening Name: Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack, 6...Nc6
Moves: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 dxe5 6. fxe5 Nc6
Description: The Four Pawns Attack is an aggressive setup by White aiming to gain a strong pawn center and space advantage early in the game. After White establishes a broad pawn center with pawns on d4, e5, c4, and f4, Black challenges this structure by exchanging pawns on e5 and developing the knight to c6. The move 6...Nc6 puts immediate pressure on White's center and prepares for rapid piece development, signaling Black's intent to counterattack rather than purely defend.
Characteristic of 6...Nc6: This move is characteristic as it increases Black's influence over the central squares d4 and e5 and supports potential counterplay against White's advanced pawns. By developing the knight actively, Black seeks to undermine White's strong center before it becomes overwhelming.
Playing Style: From White's perspective, this opening is highly attacking, focusing on controlling and dominating the center with multiple pawns and preparing for an aggressive kingside initiative. Black’s response with 6...Nc6 is counterattacking, aiming to challenge White's center and create dynamic play rather than passive defense.
Center Control: Yes, this opening emphatically attacks and contests the center. White dominates the center with four pawns, while Black actively challenges this dominance with piece pressure and timely pawn breaks.
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, 6...Nc6, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 4 - Move #18 black