Miles Variation 4...dxe5 5.Nxe5 c6
With 4...dxe5 and 5...c6 Black chooses a Caro-Kann-like structure with a fianchetto: he concedes space but stays compact and prepares the ...c5 and ...e5 breaks.
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 dxe5 5.Nxe5 c6 6.Be2 Nd7 7.Nf3 g6 8.O-O Bg7 9.c4 Nc7 10.Nc3 O-O 11.Bf4
Move by move
- 1.e4 – White occupies the centre and opens diagonals for the queen and the f1-bishop.
- 1...Nf6 – The Alekhine Defence: the knight attacks e4 and invites the pawn forward, planning to attack the advanced white pawns later.
- 2.e5 – White accepts the challenge: the pawn chases the knight and gains space.
- 2...Nd5 – The knight centralises on d5, from where it eyes c3, b4, e3 and f4.
- 3.d4 – White adds a second pawn to the centre and supports e5.
- 3...d6 – Black immediately attacks the e5 spearhead: the typical way to challenge White’s centre.
- 4.Nf3 – The Modern Variation: White develops and defends e5 without pushing more pawns.
- 4...dxe5 – The Miles Variation: Black exchanges at once and prepares a solid set-up with ...c6.
- 5.Nxe5 – The knight recaptures on e5 and occupies an active central square.
- 5...c6 – The pawn supports the d5-knight and closes the b5-e8 diagonal: a solid Caro-Kann-like structure.
- 6.Be2 – White develops calmly and prepares castling.
- 6...Nd7 – Black challenges the e5-knight: if it stays, ...Nxe5 removes White’s most active piece.
- 7.Nf3 – The knight retreats to f3 to avoid the exchange and keep more pieces on.
- 7...g6 – Black prepares the fianchetto: the g7-bishop will press on d4.
- 8.O-O – White castles and secures his king.
- 8...Bg7 – The bishop develops on the long diagonal against the d4-pawn.
- 9.c4 – The pawn chases the d5-knight and gains space.
- 9...Nc7 – The knight retreats to c7, from where it can go to e6 to attack d4 and f4.
- 10.Nc3 – The knight develops and completes White’s mobilisation.
- 10...O-O – Black castles: the position is a little cramped but without weaknesses.
- 11.Bf4 – The bishop goes to f4, controls e5 and prevents the ...e5 break.
How to exploit the position
White has more space with c4-d4 and the f4-bishop controls e5; Black is a little cramped but solid, without pawn weaknesses.
- ...Ne6 attacks the f4-bishop and the d4-pawn: this is the key manoeuvre of the c7-knight.
- The ...c5 break opens the g7-bishop’s diagonal against d4.
- ...Nf6 and ...Bg4 complete development and increase the pressure on d4.
- White aims for d5 to gain space: when it comes, Black’s knights get the c5 and e5 squares.
Master tips
Freeing a cramped position
In the Miles Variation Black has less space: he must trade pieces and prepare a break.