Modern Variation, Larsen-Haakert Variation

The Larsen-Haakert Variation, 4...Nc6, has Black skip the usual 4...Bg4 pin, the 4...dxe5 exchange of the Larsen Variation and the 4...g6 fianchetto. Black instead develops the second knight, which adds a third attacker to the e5-pawn alongside the d6-pawn. The cost is that the c-pawn is blocked, so the ...c5 break against d4 is no longer available, and the knight on d5 stays exposed to a gain of time with c4. The line is an offbeat choice that stands well outside the main theory of the Alekhine Defense.

The most common reply is 5. c4, which drives the d5-knight away and claims more space. Next come 5. Bc4, which develops while adding pressure to the knight, and 5. exd6, which clears the tension in the center. Engines also rate 5. Bb5 highly, pinning the c6-knight and reducing its pressure on e5. The engine gives White a slight edge, but in practice the results are close to even, and 5. exd6 has been White's best-scoring choice.