Chess Openings·Alekhine's Defence, Exchange Variation

Semi-Open Game

Alekhine's Defence, Exchange Variation

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6

Step through

9 / 9
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.
  9. 5.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

The centre is handed over on purpose and shot at from a distance. Rarely played, so a well-prepared opponent is rare too. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on d4. 1 pieces have left the board. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
9 moves
To move
Black
Legal replies
30
Minor pieces out
White 0 · Black 1
Material
39 · 38
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqkb1r/ppp1pppp/1n1P4/8/2PP4/8/PP3PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 5

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.e4White: Pawn e2→e4
  2. 1…Nf6Black: Knight g8→f6
  3. 2.e5White: Pawn e4→e5
  4. 2…Nd5Black: Knight f6→d5
  5. 3.d4White: Pawn d2→d4
  6. 3…d6Black: Pawn d7→d6
  7. 4.c4White: Pawn c2→c4
  8. 4…Nb6Black: Knight d5→b6
  9. 5.exd6White: Pawn e5→d6 (capture)

Nearby lines

first 8 moves shared

Alekhine's Defence, Four Pawns Attack…f4Alekhine's Defence, Modern Variation…Nf3Alekhine's Defencee4 Nf6King's Pawn Openinge4Open Game…e5Sicilian Defence…c5

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Alekhine's Defence, Exchange Variation?

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Semi-Open Game — 1.e4 met by anything other than 1…e5.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 9 moves it is Black to move.