Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation (B03)

The Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation is a variation of the Alekhine Defense, catalogued as ECO B03. The line runs 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 dxe5 6. fxe5 Nc6 7. Be3 Bf5 8. Nc3 e6 9. Nf3 Qd7 10. Be2 O-O-O 11. O-O Be7, reaching the position shown below after 22 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e5. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is White to move after 11 moves. The kings have gone to opposite wings (White kingside, Black queenside), which usually means both sides attack with pawns and the faster attack wins.

On the Alekhine Defense generally: A provocative defense where Black invites White to advance pawns, then attacks the overextended center.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Position characteristics

• Opposite-side castling

Related Alekhine Defense lines

• Four Pawns Attack, Fianchetto Variation
• Four Pawns Attack, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation
• Four Pawns Attack, Korchnoi Variation
• Four Pawns Attack, Main Line
• Four Pawns Attack, Trifunovic Variation
• Hunt Variation
• Modern Variation, Alekhine Gambit
• Modern Variation, Keres Variation
• Hunt Variation, Lasker Simul Gambit
• Hunt Variation, Matsukevich Gambit
• Hunt Variation, Mikenas Gambit
• Kmoch Variation

See all 23 Alekhine Defense variations →

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation?

The Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation goes 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 dxe5 6. fxe5 Nc6 7. Be3 Bf5 8. Nc3 e6 9. Nf3 Qd7 10. Be2 O-O-O 11. O-O Be7. It is a variation of the Alekhine Defense and is catalogued as ECO B03.

What is the ECO code for the Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation?

The Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation is ECO B03. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Alekhine Defense.

Is the Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 dxe5 6. fxe5 Nc6 7. Be3 Bf5 8. Nc3 e6 9. Nf3 Qd7 10. Be2 O-O-O 11. O-O Be7 at +1.38 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e5. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is White to move. The kings have gone to opposite wings (White kingside, Black queenside), which usually means both sides attack with pawns and the faster attack wins.