Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Endgame Variation

The Endgame Variation is the most forcing branch of the Central Exchange. After 7. Nc3, Black gives up the bishop with 7...Bxf3, which breaks up White's kingside pawns. Black then takes the d-pawn with 8...Qxd4, and the queens come off. Black is a pawn up, and White's f-pawns are doubled and isolated. White has the c- and d-files open. The usual reply is 10. Nb5, which hits c7 and the knight on d4, and White scores well with it. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced.