Four Pawns Attack

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4

A slight detour – Mokele-mbembe variation

The content below is heavily based on this post

3…f6

3…f6 is slightly inferior compared to 3…e6. After 3…f6 white is simply better because the knight on e4 is desparately alone, allowing developmental moves like 4.Bd3.

After that we can analyse two moves:

4…d5

Seems like the only acceptable move with (+1.8) (depth 24). After that we can try 5.Nc3 which attacks d5. If the opponent takes our knight Qd5# is final nail in the coffin, as the innocent move g6 is met by Bxg6! (! Means Good Move) and black is strictly losing.

4…f5??

4…f5?? has (+5.9) (depth 24) The reason is 5. f3 traps the knight. White is also much more developed.

3…e6

3…e6 is slightly inferior compared to 3…f6. After 4.Bd3 , 4…d5 is again, the best move

5.Nh3! is surprisingly good as 5…Ng5 is no longer available

DO NOT play 5.f3 as it loses your rook

Updated: