Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Voronezh Variation position after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 cxd6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Be3 Bg7 8.Rc1 O-O 9.b3. White: pawn on c4, pawn on d4, pawn on b3, knight on c3, bishop on e3, pawn on a2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, knight on g1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, 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, pawn on d6, pawn on g6.
Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Voronezh 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.Be3 Bg7 8.Rc1 O-O 9.b3. 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.Be3 Bg7 8.Rc1 O-O 9.b3.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Voronezh Variation?
The Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Voronezh 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.Be3 Bg7 8.Rc1 O-O 9.b3. 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, Voronezh Variation?
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 cxd6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Be3 Bg7 8.Rc1 O-O 9.b3. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Voronezh Variation good for beginners?
Players who understand hypermodern ideas and want to take opponents out of familiar territory with Black.