ECO C01 · for White
French Defense: Exchange Variation
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
7,664,600 games in this band reached the Exchange Variation position. From there White won 49% and drew 5%.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bd3 Bd6 6. O-O O-O 7. Bg5 Bg4 8. Nbd2 Nbd7 9. c3 c6 10. Qc2 Qc7
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... e6
Intending a d7-d5 advance to contest the center.
2. d4
Creating the ideal pawn center, with pawns on d4 and e4.
2... d5
Challenging the center immediately, aiming to undermine White's control of the d4 square.
Moves 3 to 4
3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Nf6
3. exd5
Exchanging in the center, which can lead to open positions. This move is part of the Exchange variation, which is often used as a simplifying, less aggressive option.
3... exd5
Recapturing the pawn, both sides have equal control of the center.
4. Nf3
Developing the knight while aiming to quickly castle kingside and play a fairly equal positional game.
- 4. Nc3: Developing the knight and pressuring the d5 pawn. White can play a typical exchange French position or one with Bd3 and Nge2 which leads to a more imbalanced position.
- 4. c4: Gaining space in the center and offering Black the c4 pawn. White aims to play with a space advantage and a more positional game.
- 4. Bd3: Developing the bishop to its most active square.
4... Nf6
Aiming to develop the kingside pieces quickly and castle.
- 4... Bd6: Developing the bishop to its best square while preventing Bf4. Black can follow up with normal development and castle kingside, or decide to castle queenside for a more imbalanced game.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Bd3 Bd6 6. O-O O-O
5. Bd3
Developing the bishop and preparing to castle kingside.
- 5. Nc3: Developing the knight and pressuring the d5 pawn.
5... Bd6
Developing the bishop where it targets White's kingside and preparing to castle right away.
6. O-O
Castling kingside and allowing Black to copy him. The position is completely balanced.
6... O-O
Getting the king to safety and preparing to finish development by playing Bg4, or Be6, and Nbd7.
Moves 7 to 8
7. Bg5 Bg4 8. Nbd2 Nbd7
7. Bg5
7... Bg4
8. Nbd2
8... Nbd7
Moves 9 to 10
9. c3 c6 10. Qc2 Qc7
9. c3
9... c6
10. Qc2
10... Qc7
Plans for White in this position
What White usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The pawn on h2 typically recaptures the bishop on g3
- The bishop on d3 generally captures the bishop on g6
- The bishop on g5 often moves to h4
- The bishop on h4 often moves to g3
- The kingside rook usually develops to e1
- Common pawn moves are a4 and c4
Related opening guides
- French Defense for Black
- Italian Game for White
- Queen's Gambit for White
- English Opening for White
- Bishop's Opening for White
- Zukertort Opening for White