Chess opening · ECO B13
Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation
In the Exchange Variation White trades on d5 at once. After 3...cxd5 the center has a white pawn on d4 against a black one on d5, White has a half-open e-file, and Black has a half-open c-file. The play is calmer than most Caro-Kann lines, and it centers on piece placement: White aims at the kingside and at b7, while Black tries to develop smoothly and use the c-file.
- Rank by weighted share
- #102 of 159
- Material
- White +1
Key moves
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5
- 3. exd5White releases the tension right away. Black recaptures with the c-pawn, keeping a pawn on d5 and opening the c-file. The trade settles the pawn structure early: White now has a half-open e-file and Black a half-open c-file.
White's Bd3, c3 and Qb3 setup
The usual White plan is Bd3, c3, Bf4 and sometimes Qb3. The bishop on d3 points down the diagonal toward h7, the bishop on f4 controls the b8 to h2 diagonal, and c3 backs up d4. A queen on b3 hits b7 and d5 at the same time, which can make it awkward for Black to develop the light-squared bishop.
How Black develops and where the Panov fits
Black usually plays ...Nc6, ...Nf6 and gets the bishop out to g4 or f5 before playing ...e6. Rooks then go to the c-file, and the queenside pawns can advance with ...b5 and ...b4 to open lines against c3.
If White plays 4.c4 instead of a quiet bishop move, the game enters the Panov Attack. That leads to very different play, often with an isolated white pawn on d4.
Qb3 lands on b7 and d5
3... cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Nf6 6. Bf4 Bg4 7. Qb3
The queen on b3 now hits b7 and d5 together. Black has developed both knights and brought the light-squared bishop out to g4 before ...e6, but must now find a way to guard the b7 pawn.
Top replies by rating
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | cxd5 89% | Qxd5 11% | – |
| 1200–1399 | cxd5 94% | Qxd5 6% | – |
| 1400–1599 | cxd5 95% | Qxd5 4% | Nf6 1% |
| 1600–1799 | cxd5 96% | Qxd5 3% | Nf6 1% |
| 1800–1999 | cxd5 97% | Qxd5 3% | – |
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.