Theoria
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Sicilian Defense

Nimzowitsch Variation, Exchange Variation

B29aggressiveoffbeat

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3Nf6
  3. 3.e5Nd5
  4. 4.Nc3Nxc3
364 games53%40%

A Nimzowitsch Sicilian line in which Black trades knights with 4...Nxc3, usually giving White fast development and a slight edge after 5. dxc3.

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About the Exchange Variation

In the Exchange Variation of the Nimzowitsch Sicilian, Black answers 4. Nc3 by trading knights with 4...Nxc3 instead of playing 4...e6. White usually recaptures with 5. dxc3, which opens the d-file and the c1-bishop's diagonal for quick development while the e5 pawn cramps Black. The natural-looking 5...b6 runs into 6. e6 f6 7. Ne5. The rarer 5. bxc3 has fared poorly for White in practice. Engines give White a slight edge.

Popular continuations