Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Karpov Variation position after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 cxd6 6.Nc3 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Be2 Nc6 10.O-O Bf5 11.Bf4. White: pawn on c4, pawn on d4, bishop on f4, knight on c3, knight on f3, pawn on h3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, bishop on e2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, rook on a1, queen on d1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, queen on d8, rook on f8, king on g8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on e7, pawn on f7, bishop on g7, pawn on h7, knight on b6, knight on c6, pawn on d6, pawn on g6, bishop on f5.
Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Karpov Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 cxd6 6.Nc3 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Be2 Nc6 10.O-O Bf5 11.Bf4. It is classified B03 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black to move. The Alekhine Defense attacks the e4 pawn with the knight on move one, deliberately inviting White to chase it with pawns. Black's plan is that the advancing pawn centre will become overextended and can then be attacked at its base.
Strategic character
Provocative by design. After 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 White has an imposing centre and Black has spent moves on a single knight — the whole opening rests on whether that centre proves strong or loose.
Who should play it
Players who understand hypermodern ideas and want to take opponents out of familiar territory with Black.
This line is a variation within the Alekhine Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 cxd6 6.Nc3 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Be2 Nc6 10.O-O Bf5 11.Bf4.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Karpov Variation?
The Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Karpov Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 cxd6 6.Nc3 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Be2 Nc6 10.O-O Bf5 11.Bf4. It is classified B03 in the ECO system. The Alekhine Defense attacks the e4 pawn with the knight on move one, deliberately inviting White to chase it with pawns. Black's plan is that the advancing pawn centre will become overextended and can then be attacked at its base.
What are the moves of the Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Karpov Variation?
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 cxd6 6.Nc3 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Be2 Nc6 10.O-O Bf5 11.Bf4. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Karpov Variation good for beginners?
Players who understand hypermodern ideas and want to take opponents out of familiar territory with Black.