Four Pawns Attack: 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 is variation 3 of 6 in the Alekhine Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO B03). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 …. White pushes four pawns to the centre. Black trades on e5 and attacks d4 with ...Nc6, develops the bishop to f5 and castles. Then the f-pawn break hits the centre, and Black's pieces become active. 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. d4 – White builds the centre.
3... d6 – Black attacks e5.
4. c4 – White chases the knight with another pawn.
4... Nb6 – The knight retreats to b6.
5. f4 – The Four Pawns Attack. White builds a huge pawn centre.
5... dxe5 – Black trades first, so the f-pawn has to take back.
6. fxe5 – White takes back. The centre looks strong, but it needs care.
6... Nc6 – The knight attacks d4 at once.
7. Be3 – White defends d4 with the bishop.
7... Bf5 – The bishop develops actively and covers e4.
8. Nc3 – White develops and covers e4.
8... e6 – Black opens the f8 bishop and gets ready to castle.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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