The Modern Variation is the most common way for white to fight the Alekhine, and it starts with the move Nf3. For the basics of the Alekhine, watch this introductory video:
Unlike in other variations, where white forces the issue of the knight on d5 with c4 or Bc4, and usually creates or aims for more aggressive setups, in the Modern Variation, with the move Nf3, white goes for a more quiet setup, where he aims to develop as soon as possible.
One of the main ideas behind 4. Nf3 is reinforcing the overextended e5 pawn which is often the weakest point in the position and black’s main target. After Nf3, if black plays dxe5, white can recapture with the knight, thus getting rid of the liability.
The downside is that black doesn’t have to worry about the development of his c8 bishop as in the other variations, because he can now simply pin the f3 knight with g4. That’s what I don’t like about the variation for white. In the exchange variation, for example, black often has issues with the bishop and here they are resolved automatically.
Another thing about the Modern is that in most lines black will be able to exchange the c8 bishop off and create a solid “caro-kann” pawn structure with pawns on e6 and c6. That setup is very hard for white to break, and especially so if he is still left with the weak e5 pawn. Black can play Ne7-g6 and Qc7, and white can in some cases even go a pawn down.
That is why white should aim to exchange the pawn if possible. Always take exd5 into consideration. It’s almost never a bad move.
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