Alekhine Defense Two Pawn Attack Discovered Attack in Chess
In the Alekhine Defense Two Pawn Attack, Black challenges White’s center with …Nf6 and …d5, often after White grabs space with c4 and e4. The “discovered attack” motif happens when a move like …c5 or …d5 opens a line (commonly for a bishop or queen) and simultaneously reveals an attack on a key target—often a piece on a central or pinned square.
Spot this motif by looking for a piece that can “unmask” an attacker: if a pawn advance (…c5 or …d5) would open a diagonal or file, check whether the revealed line hits White’s king, queen, or an overloaded defender. To use it, time the pawn break so it both creates the line and forces White to respond to the newly revealed threat—often winning tempo or material before White can consolidate.
Frequently Asked Questions: alekhine defense two pawn attack discovered attack
- What exactly makes it a “discovered attack” in the Alekhine Defense Two Pawn Attack?
- It’s when a tactical pawn move (typically …c5 or …d5) opens a line and reveals an attack that wasn’t possible one move earlier—so the attacker appears “from behind” while the move also changes the position.
- Which pieces usually get unmasked in this motif?
- Most often it’s a bishop or queen line that becomes active after the pawn break, aiming at a central piece, a pinned defender, or directly at the king.
- How can I recognize the setup before the pawn break?
- Look for a candidate pawn advance that would open a diagonal/file toward White’s king or queen, and verify that the revealed line would attack something important immediately after the move.
- What’s the most common mistake when trying this tactic?
- Playing the pawn break without calculating White’s response—especially if White can capture the unmasked attacker, block the line, or use tempo moves to neutralize the threat before it wins material.