El Columpio Defense, Exchange Variation
- 1.e4Nc6
- 2.Nf3Nf6
- 3.e5Ng4
- 4.d4d6
- 5.h3Nh6
- 6.exd6
23 games
Exchange line of the El Columpio Defense in which White captures with 6. exd6, a rarely played choice that theory and engines rate as favoring White.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Exchange Variation
The Exchange Variation, 6. exd6, releases the central tension of the El Columpio Defense by capturing on d6 instead of keeping the pawn on e5. Black must recapture, most often with 6...Qxd6, which brings the queen out early while the knight remains on h6; 6...cxd6 and 6...exd6 are less frequent. Theory holds that White keeps the edge, and engines assess the position as clearly better for White. It is seldom reached in practice.