Chess opening · ECO B03
Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack
The Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack starts 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4. It ranks #161 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.
Move by move
- 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
- 1... Nf6Black develops the kingside knight to f6.
- 2. e5White advances the e-pawn to e5, staking a claim in the center. It now attacks the knight on f6.
- 2... Nd5Black moves the knight from f6 to d5.
- 3. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
- 3... d6Black advances the d-pawn to d6.
- 4. c4White pushes the c-pawn two squares to c4. It now attacks the knight on d5.
- 4... Nb6Black moves the knight from d5 to b6.
- 5. f4White pushes the f-pawn two squares to f4.
What players choose next, by rating
The three most common Black moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. dxe5 is the most popular next move in every rating band.
| Rating | Most common | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200–1399 | dxe5 100% | – | – |
| 1400–1599 | dxe5 57% | Bf5 36% | g6 7% |
| 1600–1799 | dxe5 72% | Bf5 13% | Nc6 8% |
| 1800–1999 | dxe5 83% | g6 11% | Bf5 7% |
| 2000 and up | dxe5 74% | g5 26% | – |
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