[Event "French Defence - Alekhine Chatard Attack: Alekhine - Chatard Attack - Black declines the sacrifice - 6...c5"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/pc4x0yT2/cK4Jqep2"] [Result "*"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "C13"] [Opening "French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Breyer Variation"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/chessentialsBLOG"] [UTCDate "2023.02.13"] [UTCTime "12:32:40"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/pc4x0yT2/cK4Jqep2"] [Orientation "white"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 c5 { Now, before we get to the actual variations where Black accepts the gambit, let's first take a look at some ways in which Black can try to decline it. One potential way of doing so involves the immediate central counterstrike with c5. It is a very logical French move - but it allows White to demonstrate one of the points behind having the bishop on g5. } 7. Bxe7 { Of course, this exchange now weakens the dark-squares tremendously. White intends to play Nb5 next. } { [%cal Gc3b5] } 7... Kxe7 { However, this king recapture is not at all so silly here. Black realizes that taking with the queen is dangerous, but makes an argument that the king can permit to capture as the center is fairly closed. It turns out this was played by some very strong players and that it is not at all so naive as it looks. } (7... Qxe7 { Taking with the queen is almost losing due to } 8. Nb5 { When both Nd6 and Nc7 are threatened. } { [%csl Rd6,Rc7][%cal Rb5c7,Rb5d6] }) 8. f4 { White has several options at their disposal. The text move is very natural, defending the e5 pawn and trying to reinforce the center. It was analyzed in greater detail in the chapter "Detailed Analysis". } (8. Qd2 { Moving the queen to d2, preparing a long castle, and potentially some Qg5 ideas, is a more modern approach. It is also the top move by the computer. } { [%cal Ge1c1] } 8... Nc6 9. dxc5 Ndxe5 10. O-O-O { In this variation, White gives up the center in order to develop quickly and tries to make an argument that Black is really hurt by the king on e7. } (10. h5 { Grabbing some space on the kingside, is also possible.. })) (8. Nb5 { It is important to mention that Nb5 is now a mistake as the c7 square is covered and Nd6 doesn't come with check. Black gets a good position after } 8... Qa5+ 9. c3 a6 10. Nd6 cxd4 { White's center is crumbling and the knight on d6 is not doing that much. Black is apparently alraedy winning here. }) *