Lesson
White to move. Main line: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 Bg7 7. a4
Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Keres Variation (B04). The line runs 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 Bg7 7. a4 — the move order matters, and this is the one the theory follows.
White gains space with e5 and d4, while Black provokes those pawns and attacks them with ...d6 and ...Bg7. The knight’s journey is justified only if the pawn center later becomes a target.
White should develop before pushing again; Black needs pressure rather than more knight retreats. The position tests whether space can be converted before its supporting pawns are undermined.