French Defense: Exchange Variation

French Defense: Exchange Variation is a chess opening with the ECO code C01, part of the French Defense family. It goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5. White opens with 1. e4 (the king's pawn) and Black answers 1... e6. After 5 moves it is Black to move. After the last move White is a pawn ahead in material. The lesson on the board explains every move of the line and lets you play it yourself; it is free.

The moves

• 1. e4 – White plays the pawn to e4
• 1... e6 – Black plays the pawn to e6
• 2. d4 – White plays the pawn to d4
• 2... d5 – Black plays the pawn to d5
• 3. exd5 – White captures on d5 with the e-pawn

In chessGM's opening book this position continues with 3... exd5.

About the French Defense

Black answers 1.e4 with 1...e6 and then ...d5, attacking White's centre. Black accepts a little less space for a very solid position.

• If White plays e5, pawn chains form: White attacks on the kingside, Black on the queenside.
• Black hits the chain at its base with ...c5 and adds pressure with ...Nc6 and ...Qb6.
• The light-squared bishop on c8 is often passive; Black may trade it or free it with ...b6 and ...Ba6.

chessGM has a full course for this line: open the French Defense: Exchange Variation course lesson.

Related openings

• It extends: French Defense (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5)
• Continues with: French Defense: Exchange Variation – adds 3... exd5 4. Nf3
• Continues with: French Defense: Exchange Variation – adds 3... exd5 4. Nc3
• Continues with: French Defense: Exchange Variation, Monte Carlo Variation – adds 3... exd5 4. c4
• Related line: French Defense: Wing Gambit (1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e5 c5 4. b4)
• Related line: French Defense: Exchange Variation (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3)
• Related line: French Defense: Two Knights Variation (1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3)
• Related line: French Defense: Exchange Variation (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nc3)
• Related line: French Defense: Steinitz Attack (1. e4 e6 2. e5)
• Related line: French Defense: Exchange Variation, Bogoljubow Variation (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bg5 Nc6)

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