Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation

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

ECO B03

The Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation is a chess opening line in the Alekhine Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6.

It is catalogued under code B03 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move exd6 is chosen by White on move 5.

2 named continuations branch from this position, including the Karpov Variation and the Voronezh Variation.

Named variations

• Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Karpov Variation — ECO B03
• Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Voronezh Variation — ECO B03

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Alekhine Defense course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.