Brooklyn Variation
White advances c4 in the Modern Variation, gaining space and forcing the knight to retreat to b6 where it can be further harassed.
ECO Code
B13
Difficulty
Intermediate
Style
Space-gaining
Strategic Ideas for White
- Space advantage: Use the c4-d4-e5 pawn chain to control central territory
- Knight harassment: Continue pressuring the knight on b6 with moves like a4-a5
- Development superiority: Exploit the lead in development for tactical opportunities
- Central control: Maintain dominance of key central squares
- Kingside attack: Create attacking chances while Black struggles with development
- Pin exploitation: Use the bishop pin to restrict Black's defensive resources
Strategic Ideas for Black
- Knight activity: Keep the knight on b6 active and look for central repositioning
- Pin pressure: Maintain the bishop pin to restrict White's development
- Central counterplay: Challenge White's pawn center with ...dxe5 when appropriate
- Piece coordination: Develop pieces harmoniously despite space disadvantage
- King safety: Ensure adequate king protection while creating counterplay
- Tactical alertness: Look for tactical opportunities arising from White's advanced pawns
Main Variations
Knight Hunt
White immediately attacks the knight with a4, forcing it to make difficult decisions. Black often exchanges in the center to free the position.
Pin Breaking
Direct approach to eliminate the pin and free White's development. Black equalizes the material and often gets good piece activity.
Central Advance
White releases central tension immediately, aiming for quick development. Black builds a solid pawn structure with good piece prospects.
Understanding the Brooklyn Variation
The Brooklyn Variation gets its name from the Brooklyn Chess Club where this aggressive continuation was extensively analyzed in the mid-20th century. The move 5.c4 represents White's most space-gaining approach in the Modern Alekhine Defense, immediately putting pressure on Black's centralized knight and gaining valuable central territory. This creates sharp, tactical positions where both sides must play accurately.
Tactical Themes
Key Tactical Motifs
- Pawn advances: The a4-a5 advance creates tactical complications around the knight
- Pin tactics: The bishop pin on f3 creates various tactical possibilities
- Central breakthroughs: Pawn breaks in the center can lead to tactical shots
- Knight forks: Both sides must watch for knight fork possibilities
- Discovered attacks: Moving pieces from the pin can create discovered threats
- King safety issues: Rapid development can create threats against the enemy king
Typical Middlegame Plans
White's Strategy
Classical development prioritizing king safety and piece coordination. White aims to maintain the space advantage while building attacking chances.
Black's Defense
Solid development focusing on king safety and piece activity. Black often needs to play accurately to avoid falling into difficult positions.
Central Tension
The central pawn tension is crucial to the position's evaluation. The timing of ...dxe5 or exd6 can dramatically alter the game's character.
Critical Guidelines
For White: Don't get carried away with the attack. Solid development and maintaining the space advantage often provides lasting benefits.
For Black: Precise move order is crucial. One inaccuracy can lead to serious difficulties due to White's space advantage and development lead.
Famous Games
Fischer vs Addison, 1970: Fischer demonstrated the power of the space advantage in the Brooklyn system with energetic piece play.
Spassky vs Larsen, 1969: A tactical masterpiece showing how White can exploit the knight's awkward position on b6.
Kasparov vs Short, 1993: Modern treatment demonstrating how both sides can create practical chances in this sharp variation.
Modern Theoretical Assessment
The Brooklyn Variation is considered one of White's most challenging responses to the Modern Alekhine Defense. Contemporary analysis shows that White obtains a slight but persistent advantage with accurate play, primarily due to the space advantage and superior development prospects. However, Black has adequate defensive resources and can achieve reasonable positions with precise play. The variation remains popular in tournament practice due to its sharp, tactical nature and the excellent practical chances it offers White.
Related Variations
Master the Brooklyn Variation
Learn this space-gaining system in the Modern Alekhine Defense with aggressive pawn advances and tactical complications.
Back to Alekhine Defense Modern Variation