Theoria
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Ruy Lopez

Exchange Variation, Alekhine Variation

C68positionalsolidoffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5a6
  4. 4.Bxc6dxc6
  5. 5.d4exd4
  6. 6.Qxd4Qxd4
  7. 7.Nxd4Bd6
168 games47%45%

A queenless line of the Exchange Ruy Lopez in which Black answers the early queen trade with 7...Bd6. The bishop pair offsets the doubled c-pawns.

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About the Alekhine Variation

The Alekhine Variation arises in the 5. d4 line of the Exchange Ruy Lopez. After the queens come off, Black answers 7. Nxd4 with 7...Bd6, Capablanca's choice, instead of the main line 7...Bd7 followed by queenside castling. The bishop develops at once, covers e5 and clears the way for kingside castling. White most often continues 8. O-O, 8. Nc3 or 8. Be3, and 8. Be3 has scored best for White. Engines rate the position as balanced, and the line is rarely seen.

Popular continuations