Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line

The Exchange Line is the position after 8. a3 Bxc3 9. bxc3. Black has given up the dark-squared bishop, and White has the bishop pair, doubled c-pawns, an isolated a-pawn and a half-open b-file. The most common reply is 9...dxc4, which reaches the main Bernstein position after 10. Bxc4. The main alternatives are 9...b6, the engine's preferred move, and 9...cxd4. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, and Black has scored slightly better in online games.