Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation

What Is The Exchange Variation?

5.exd6 trades off the advanced e5 pawn and hands Black the choice of recapture. That is the point: White keeps pawns on c4 and d4, a clean space advantage with nothing loose, and denies the Alekhine its purpose of provoking an overextended centre. Treat the Exchange Variation as an ambitious space grab, not a peace offer. Black's knight on b6 eyes c4 but owns no strong square, and White gains time expanding with b3 and c5.

Take back with 5...exd6 for symmetry and easy development, a sound but flat position where White's space still steers play. Take back with 5...cxd6 and you open the c-file and hit d4 with ...Nc6 and ...g6, ...Bg7. Games turn on the breaks: c5 squeezes Black, while ...d5 or ...e5 dissolves White's edge.

How Do You Play Against The Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation?

You are Black and the recapture decides the game you get: 55% take with 5...cxd6 and 42% with 5...exd6. They are not close to equivalent, and picking by habit is how players end up in structures they do not understand.

...cxd6 opens the c-file and keeps the position lively, while ...exd6 frees the light-squared bishop and heads for a symmetrical, safer game. Take with the c-pawn if you want to play for a win against a solid opponent, and with the e-pawn if you want an easy game with no weaknesses. Black actually scores 50% to 46% over 441 games, which is one of the better returns for the Alekhine anywhere in this section.

How Does Play Continue From Here?

Move	Share		Games
cxd6	55%		289
exd6	42%		220
Qxd6	2%		10
e5	0%		2