Exchange Variation 5.exd6 cxd6

With 5...cxd6 Black keeps two central pawns and with ...g6, ...Bg7 and ...Bg4 puts pressure on the d4-pawn.

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 cxd6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Be3 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Rc1 Bg4 10.Be2

Move by move

1.e4 – White occupies the centre and opens diagonals for the queen and the f1-bishop.
1...Nf6 – The Alekhine Defence: the knight attacks e4 and invites the pawn forward, planning to attack the advanced white pawns later.
2.e5 – White accepts the challenge: the pawn chases the knight and gains space.
2...Nd5 – The knight centralises on d5, from where it eyes c3, b4, e3 and f4.
3.d4 – White adds a second pawn to the centre and supports e5.
3...d6 – Black immediately attacks the e5 spearhead: the typical way to challenge White’s centre.
4.c4 – The pawn chases the d5-knight and gains more space: White builds a big centre.
4...Nb6 – The knight retreats to b6, from where it presses on c4 and d5.
5.exd6 – The Exchange Variation: White releases the tension, giving up the e5-pawn for simpler development.
5...cxd6 – Black recaptures towards the centre: he keeps two central pawns (d6 and e7) and opens the c-file.
6.Nc3 – The knight develops and controls d5 and e4.
6...g6 – Black prepares the fianchetto: the g7-bishop will press on d4.
7.Be3 – The bishop defends d4, the pawn the g7-bishop will target.
7...Bg7 – The bishop takes the long diagonal and attacks d4 from afar.
8.Nf3 – The knight defends d4 once more and prepares castling.
8...O-O – Black castles and prepares the ...d5 or ...e5 breaks and the development ...Nc6 and ...Bg4.
9.Rc1 – The rook goes to c1 to support c4 and oppose Black’s half-open c-file.
9...Bg4 – The bishop pins the f3-knight, one of d4’s defenders: ...Bxf3 is always an option.
10.Be2 – White breaks the pin on the queen and prepares to castle.

How to exploit the position

An asymmetrical structure: White has more space with c4-d4, Black has a flexible position and pressure on the long diagonal; White’s king is still on e1.

...Nc6 and ...Bxf3 at the right moment: once the f3-knight is gone, d4 is attacked by the g7-bishop and the c6-knight.
The ...d5 break: after c5, the b6-knight goes to c4 against the e3-bishop and the b2-pawn.
Alternatively ...e5 to challenge d4 directly, after preparing it with ...Nc6.
White aims for b3 and d5 to gain space: keep an eye on the e5-square for a black knight.

Master tips

The d4 target

In the ...cxd6 and ...g6 structure all of Black’s play revolves around the d4-pawn.

The b6-c4 knight

After ...d5 and c5 the b6-knight is not shut out: c4 is an excellent outpost.