Alekhine Defense · B03

Exchange Variation, Karpov Variation

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. exd6 cxd6 6. Nc3 g6 7. h3 Bg7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Be2 Nc6 10. O-O Bf5 11. Bf4

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as Black's avenue and the e-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. Black's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal. White trades pawns on d6 and keeps a small structural edge with simpler positions.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4. Theory calls this the Alekhine Defense.
• 2. e5 Puts the question to the knight on f6 - retreat, trade, or be taken.
• 2... Nd5 Repositions the knight to d5. It backs up the pawn on c7.

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