Alekhine: Modern Variation 4.Nf3 is variation 3 of 6 in the Beating 1.e4 sidelines course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO B05). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 …. Black invites White's pawns forward. White takes space with e5 and d4 but does not overpush. White develops calmly, castles, and later gains more space with the c-pawn. 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 Defence. The knight attacks e4 and invites the pawn forward.
2. e5 – White gains space and chases the knight.
2... Nd5 – The knight jumps to the centre.
3. d4 – White takes more of the centre.
3... d6 – Black attacks the e5 pawn.
4. Nf3 – The Modern Variation. White guards e5 and develops. Simple and strong.
4... Bg4 – The main move. The bishop pins the f3 knight.
5. Be2 – White breaks the pin and gets ready to castle.
5... e6 – Black opens the f8 bishop.
6. O-O – White castles.
6... Be7 – Black gets ready to castle.
7. c4 – The pawn chases the knight away from d5.
7... Nb6 – The knight steps back.
8. h3 – White asks the bishop a question.
8... Bh5 – The bishop keeps the pin.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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