Alekhine Defense, Exchange Variation

In Alekhine's Defense, Black encourages White's pawns to advance and later tries to attack them. The Exchange Variation begins when White's pawn on e5 captures Black's pawn on d6, written 5.exd6. This removes the central tension, meaning the possibility that those two pawns could capture one another, and forces Black to choose how to recapture.

The recapture ...exd6, using Black's e7-pawn, leaves a black pawn on d6 and opens the e-file completely: no white or black pawn remains on that vertical line, so either side may use it with a rook once the intervening pieces move. It is the more solid choice and often leads to a struggle based on bringing out the pieces and pressuring White's center. The alternative ...cxd6, using the c7-pawn, keeps Black's e7-pawn and leaves Black a half-open c-file: Black has no pawn there, but White's c4-pawn remains and can be attacked by a rook. In return, the structure is less symmetrical and offers more active possibilities.

White usually has space and can bring the pieces out easily, but the center remains a target. Black pressures it with pieces and pawn breaks, pawn advances that attack the base of the center or open lines. The Modern Variation supports the center with pieces before fixing its structure, while the Four Pawns Attack claims even more space and accepts more risk.