Chase Variation: 3.c4 Nb6 4.c5 is variation 5 of 6 in the Alekhine Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO B02). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 …. White chases the knight with the c-pawn twice. The knight returns to d5, and Black protects it with ...e6. Then Black attacks the advanced pawns with ...d6, develops and castles with a solid game. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... Nf6 – The Alekhine. The knight attacks e4.
2. e5 – White chases the knight.
2... Nd5 – The knight goes to the centre.
3. c4 – White chases the knight with the c-pawn.
3... Nb6 – The knight retreats to b6.
4. c5 – The Chase Variation. The pawn chases the knight again.
4... Nd5 – The knight returns to d5. It is safe there for now.
5. Bc4 – White attacks the d5 knight again.
5... e6 – Black protects the knight with a pawn.
6. d4 – White builds the centre.
6... d6 – Black attacks the advanced pawns at once.
7. cxd6 – White trades on d6.
7... cxd6 – Black takes back toward the centre.
8. Nf3 – White develops.
8... Nc6 – The knight hits d4 and e5.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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