Exchange Variation is variation 2 of 6 in the French Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO C01). It runs 20 moves and begins 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Bd6 …. White exchanges on d5 for a symmetrical, open position. Black frees the light-squared bishop at once, develops with ...Bd6, ...Ne7, ...Bg4 and ...Nbc6, and fights for the open e-file. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre and opens lines for the queen and the f1 bishop.
1... e6 – Black prepares ...d5 with solid support from the e6 pawn.
2. d4 – White builds the classical two-pawn centre.
2... d5 – Black challenges e4 at once.
3. exd5 – The Exchange Variation: White releases the tension and opens the e-file, aiming for a quiet, symmetrical game.
3... exd5 – Recapturing with the e-pawn opens the c8-h3 diagonal, so Black's usual problem bishop on c8 is free immediately.
4. Nf3 – White develops toward the centre and controls e5.
4... Bd6 – The bishop takes the active diagonal toward h2 and controls e5 and f4.
5. Bd3 – White mirrors Black's setup, putting the bishop on the b1-h7 diagonal.
5... Ne7 – The knight goes to e7 instead of f6, so it cannot be pinned by Bg5 and it leaves the f-pawn free to support ...f6 or ...f5 later.
6. O-O – White tucks the king away and prepares Re1 on the open e-file.
6... O-O – Black castles too. In symmetrical positions, speed of development decides who controls the e-file.
7. Re1 – The rook occupies the only open file and eyes the e7 knight.
7... Bg4 – Black develops with a pin on the f3 knight, reducing White's control of e5.
8. Nbd2 – White develops the queenside knight, keeping c3 free for the c-pawn and heading for f1-g3.
8... Nbc6 – Black completes the minor-piece development; the knight on c6 controls d4 and e5.
The lesson goes on for 4 more moves, each with its explanation.
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