Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO B03), reached after 9 half-moves: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. exd6.

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5…cxd6 2 lines
- B03 Karpov Variation
- B03 Voronezh Variation

About this opening

Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code B03. ECO group B (B00–B99) covers semi-open games (1.e4 with Black playing anything other than 1…e5), with the Sicilian, French, Caro-Kann and Pirc/Modern at its heart. This particular variation is reached after 9 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. exd6.

It belongs to the Alekhine Defense family. Within that family this is a sub-variation (the Exchange Variation line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 Nf6, 2.e5 Nd5, 3.d4 d6, 4.c4 Nb6, 5.exd6. From this position exactly one named continuation is recorded in the encyclopaedia.