The Alekhine-Chatard Attack is lesson 3 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 4: Sicilian and French fire, an opening course suited to players rated around 1800 (strong club players). French Defence, Alekhine-Chatard Attack, C13. White gives the g5 pawn to open the h-file. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is the Classical French. Black's bishop on e7 faces your bishop on g5. If Black trades and takes a pawn, the h-file opens for your rook. About 1.5 million rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
h4! White guards g5 with the pawn and offers it. If Bxg5, hxg5 opens the h-file, and Qxg5 costs Black time.
After Bxg5 and hxg5, Qxg5 takes a pawn. Nh3 hits the queen, and Nf4 comes next. The rook on h1 already looks at h7. The engines like White a little.
Recap.
In the French, h4 guards the bishop on g5 with a pawn.
If Bxg5, hxg5 opens the h-file.
Qxg5 costs time: Nh3 hits the queen.
If Black plays c5, trade on e7.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the French Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black's bishop on e7 attacks your bishop on g5. Guard it with a pawn, and offer that pawn.
Black declines with c5. Trade on e7 first.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the French Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers Nfd7. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black's bishop on e7 attacks your bishop on g5. Guard it with a pawn, and offer that pawn. That is the Alekhine-Chatard Attack. If Black takes the pawn, your rook gets the h-file.
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