Exchange Variation, Schallopp Variation

The Schallopp Variation arises when White, after 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3, allows Black to develop the light-squared bishop with 4...Bf5 and only then exchanges pawns on d5. The pawn structure matches the other Exchange lines, but the piece placement does not. Black's bishop already stands outside the pawn chain, while White's dark-squared bishop is shut in behind the pawn on e3. The 5. cxd5 exchange is therefore a less ambitious choice than 5. Nc3, which keeps the tension and adds pressure to d5. The early 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Qb3 achieves little, because the knight on f6 guards d5 and 6...Qc7 covers b7. White normally develops with 6. Nc3 instead.

Black most often continues 6...e6, setting up a solid structure with the bishop on f5 and pawns on d5 and e6. The main alternatives are 6...Nc6 and the useful waiting move 6...a6. Engines assess the position as balanced. In online games draws are rare, and Black scores slightly better than White, which is unusual for the Exchange Variation.