Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Exchange Variation

The Exchange Variation is one of White's ways to avoid the main theory of the Lasker-Pelikan, or Sveshnikov, Variation. Instead of 6. Ndb5, the retreats, or 6. Nde2, White exchanges on c6 at once. This removes the knight from attack without spending a tempo on a retreat, but it also relieves Black of any need to play ...d6 early. After the usual 6...bxc6 the b-pawn moves toward the center, the c6-pawn covers d5, and the f8-bishop stays free to develop actively. White is left without a clear target or a grip on d5, and Black's structure is sound.

The recapture 6...bxc6 is played in almost every game. 6...dxc6 is a rare alternative that gives up the extra central pawn in exchange for open lines for the pieces. 6...d6, which leaves the knight on c6 unrecaptured, does badly in practice. The engine considers the position after the exchange balanced, and results on Lichess are close to level, with Black scoring slightly better. White does not gain any theoretical edge from the line, and it is the least ambitious way to meet 5...e5.