French Defense: Exchange Variation
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 · C01
Part of French Defense
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 14
Symmetry leaves room for different plans
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
- 7.
The idea
White exchanges on d5, opening the centre and creating a symmetrical pawn structure. Both bishops can develop freely, and the game depends on piece placement and timely central breaks.
Main line: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bd3 Bd6 6.O-O O-O 7.Re1 Qd7
What White wants
- Develop with Bd3, O-O and Re1 and play against the d5 pawn
- Use the c4 break to fix Black's pawn as a target
- Play the resulting endgame a fraction better than Black
What Black wants
- Develop symmetrically with ...Bd6, ...O-O and ...Re8
- Trade pieces and hold the balance comfortably
- Use the ...c6 and ...Bf5 setup to keep the bishop active
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
Symmetry leaves room for different plans
The d4 and d5 pawns each have a neighbouring c-pawn, so neither is isolated in this position. White can use c4 to challenge d5, but development, active files and kingside play also matter. Symmetrical pawns do not force symmetrical piece placement.
Common mistake
Exchanging the central pawns and then making aimless moves. Both sides can develop their bishops easily, so White's first-move advantage needs active piece placement; decide whether c4, a file or a kingside target offers a useful plan.
Mistake example: c6.
Representative position
The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.
rnb2rk1/pppq1ppp/3b1n2/3p4/3P4/3B1N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQR1K1 w - - 8 8
Analyze this position