Main line
The chapter's main line, with the comments from the course.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5
White takes on d5, the Exchange Variation. This dodges all the closed French theory we prepped, but don't worry, we can still create sharp play by avoiding mirror moves and fighting for imbalanced positions.
3... exd5
We take back, keeping the center balanced for now. Our plan breaks symmetry fast: Bd6, Ne7, Nbc6, and often long castling to create attacking chances against White's king.
4. Nf3
The critical test, Nf3 stops our best coordination tricks. If White tried 4.c4 immediately, we'd get great counterplay with ...Bb4, and 4.Bd3 allows ...Nb4 tactics.
4... Bd6
Perfect square for our bishop, setting up the key plan: ...Ne7 followed by ...Bf5 to swap our cramped light-squared bishop for White's strong one.
5. Bd3
White develops the kingside instead of hitting our d5 pawn right away.
5... Ne7
Setting up the ...Bf5 trade while keeping our castling flexible.
6. O-O
White's most common move. Lets us switch plans and put our knight on c6 to hit the center sooner.
6... Nbc6
Out to c6 while White still hasn't played Nc3. We pressure d4 and the center, then go ...Bg4, ...Qd7 and long castling for sharp play.
7. Re1
White aims the rook at our king, but we're planning queenside castling anyway.
7... Bg4
We attack the knight and pile more pressure on d4.
8. c3
White props up the center pawn and blocks our knight from b4.
8... Qd7
Connecting our rooks and preparing to castle queenside, where our king sits safe behind the pawns.
9. Bg5 f6
We kick the bishop back and get ready to castle long with our kingside pawns already set for a storm.
10. Bh4 O-O-O
Perfect! Now we launch the attack with g5 and h5, or jump our knight to f5 to hassle that bishop.
11. Nbd2 Nf5 12. Bg3 Nxg3
Key lines
The free lines of this chapter, each one trainable move by move.
- Main Line
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Bd6 5. Bd3 Ne7 6. O-O Nbc6 7. Re1 Bg4 8. c3 Qd7 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bh4 O-O-O 11. Nbd2 Nf5 12. Bg3 Nxg3
- 4. Bd3
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Nb4 6. O-O Nxd3 7. Qxd3 Bd6 8. Re1+ Ne7
- 4. Bd3
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Bd6 6. Nf3 Nge7 7. O-O Bf5 8. Re1 Bxd3
- 4. c4
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Be2 dxc4 8. O-O Bxc3 9. bxc3 Be6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Rb1 Qc8
- 4. c4
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Nf3 O-O 7. Be2 dxc4 8. O-O Bxc3 9. bxc3 Be6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Rb1 Qc8
- 4. Nc3
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bg5 Be7 6. Nf3 h6
- 4. Nc3
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bb4 6. Bd2 Nc6
- 5. Nc3
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Bd6 5. Nc3 c6 6. Bd3 Ne7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 Bf5 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bh4 Bxd3
- 5. c4
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Bd6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 O-O 8. O-O Nc6 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 g5 13. Bg3 Bxg3 14. fxg3 Qxd4+ 15. Kh2 Qxc4
Other chapters
All chapters of the French DefenseLearn 3.exd5 - Exchange Variation on the board
The trainer plays the opponent's moves and waits for yours, line by line. Free to start.
Learn this chapter free