Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6/2. d4/2...d5/3. exd5/3...exd5

Exchange Variation rd nd bd qd kd bd nd rd pd pd pd pd pd pd pd pl pl pl pl pl pl pl rl nl bl ql kl bl nl rl Exchange Variation After Black's natural response (exd5) there is a symmetric position on the board, and whatever kind of an advantage White hopes to get from their next moves Black can usually attain that very same kind of an advantage in response, by simply copying White's moves. Although this variation has a reputation of being dull and drawish, both White and Black players have found ways to unbalance the game. This is namely done by White if they choose to play with an isolated d-pawn in exchange for some space advantage, in which case White can play 4.c4. The traditional approach, however, is rapid development by playing moves like 4.Bd3, 4.Nf3 or - in case White prefers castling to the queenside - 4.Be3. Theory table . 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4 5 Classical Variation Bd3Bd6 Nf3Nf6 = Variation c4 c4Nf6 Nc3Be7 = Variation Nf3 Nf3Nf6 Bd3Be7 = Variation Be3 Be3Nf6 Qd3Be7 = References French Defence ]