Sämisch Attack

The Sämisch Attack, 3. Nc3, declines to chase the d5-knight with pawns. White develops a piece instead and offers an exchange of knights, giving up the broad pawn center that the main lines of the Alekhine Defense aim to provoke. The usual reply, chosen in more than half of games, is 3...Nxc3. After 4. dxc3 White gets open lines and easy development for the queen and the dark-squared bishop. However, the d-pawn can no longer support e5, so the advanced pawn tends to become a target rather than an asset. Retreating with 3...Nb6, seen in roughly a quarter of games, keeps the knights on the board. 3...e6 is a less frequent alternative.

The line has historical significance. Fritz Sämisch played it against Alexander Alekhine at Budapest 1921, in the first recorded game with the defense. It now ranks as a minor sideline. Engines regard the position as roughly balanced, and White's practical results are only marginally better than Black's.