Chess Openings·French Defence, Exchange Variation

Semi-Open Game

French Defence, Exchange Variation

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5

Step through

6 / 6
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

A sturdy set-up that waits for the opponent to overreach. Pawns lock into each other, the lines shut and the game runs long. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on d4 · d5. 2 pieces have left the board. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
6 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
36
Minor pieces out
White 0 · Black 0
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/8/3p4/3P4/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 4

Move by move

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

  1. 1.e4White: Pawn e2→e4
  2. 1…e6Black: Pawn e7→e6
  3. 2.d4White: Pawn d2→d4
  4. 2…d5Black: Pawn d7→d5
  5. 3.exd5White: Pawn e4→d5 (capture)
  6. 3…exd5Black: Pawn e6→d5 (capture)

Nearby lines

first 4 moves shared

French Defence, Advance Variation…e5French Defence, Tarrasch Variation…Nd2French Defence, Winawer Variation…Nc3 Bb4French Defence, Classical Variation…Nc3 Nf6French Defence, Rubinstein Variation…Nc3 dxe4French Defencee4 e6

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of French Defence, Exchange Variation?

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5

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 6 moves it is White to move.