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Exchange Variation 4 Nf3 Nf6 5 Bd3 Bd6 6 Qe2+ [C01]
3 exd5 exd5 4 Nf3 Nf6 5 Bd3 Bd6 is a basic Exchange Variation position that can also arise from the Petroff Defense (with an additional two moves; see my notes). Here 6 Qe2+ has been played for more than a century, but has gained sharply in popularity over the past 3 years, being used particularly often by Magnus Carlsen. Then Black has several responses that seem satisfactory, but he should know what he’s doing. In Zhu, J - Priyanka, N, World Rapid Women 2023 Samarkand 2023, Black tried the older line 6...Qe7 7 Qxe7+ Kxe7 8 0-0:
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Black played 8...Re8 (I look at 8...Nc6 as well) and came out standing somewhat worse. This line is doubtless equal in the long run, but Black should be prepared.
In Van Foreest, J - Giri, A, Tata Steel Masters Wijk aan Zee 2024, Black played the retreat 6...Be7 7 0-0 0-0:
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This hasn’t been a particularly popular line, but Black will eventually recover the lost tempo by ...Re8 and should equalize. In the game, White tried the subtle 8 h3, limiting Black’s c8 bishop, and Black counterattacked in the center with ...c5.
Exchange Variation 4 Nf3 Bd6 5 c4 Nf6 6 c5 [C01]
A main line that we’ve seen pretty often is 4 Nf3 Bd6 5 c4 Nf6. Now 6 Nc3 0-0 7 cxd5 is a well-known temporary pawn sacrifice which is holding up well for Black. Alternatively, White seeks a long-term space advantage with 6 c5 Be7 7 0-0:
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Here 8...b6 has been the main move. Ju, W - Firouzja, A, Tata Steel Masters Wijk aan Zee 2024, saw the somewhat unusual 8...Bg4, and after 9 h3 Bh5 10 Be3 Nc6 11 Nbd2, White had retained slightly the better chances due to her space advantage. Black subsequently equalized, although in the end White defeated her superstar opponent.
Exchange Variation 4 Nf3 Nc6 5 Bd3 Bd6 6 0-0 Nge7 [C01]
Another position which has arisen often over many years arises after 4 Nf3 Nc6 5 Bd3 (we have seen many games with 5 Bb5) 5...Bd6 6 0-0 Nge7 7 c3 Bg4 (or a similar combination of moves).
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Here the normal moves are 8 Re1, 8 Bg5, and 8 Nbd2. In L'Ami, E - Dronavalli, H, Tata Steel Challengers Wijk aan Zee 2024, White chose the unusual 8 a4, which win some queenside space and prepares Na3 with the idea of either Nb5 or swinging the knight to the center Ruy Lopez-fashion via Nc2-e3. L’Ami soon gets even more creative with a dashing kingside attack and is rewarded after complications.
Steinitz Variation 7 Be3 a6 8 Qd2 b5 9 h4 [C11]
In the ever-fertile fields of the Steinitz Variation following 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e5 Nfd7 5 f4 c5 6 Nf3 Nc6 7 Be3, Salem, A R - Mendonca, L, Tata Steel Challengers Wijk aan Zee 2024, tested 7...a6 8 Qd2 b5, and now 9 h4!?:
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A previously rare move which has recently been played quite often and produces a rich imbalance. The game was well-played and instructive until a time trouble mistake intervened.
Classical, Morozevich Variation 6...gxf6 7 Nf3 f5 [C11]
After 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 dxe4 5 Nxe4, Black has been playing a variety of systems. One we have covered often over the years is Morozevich’s 5...Be7 6 Bxf6 gxf6. Here Dardha, D - Korobov, A, Tata Steel Challengers Wijk aan Zee 2024, saw 7 Nf3 f5 8 Nc3, and now instead of the usual 8...a6 (or 8...Bf6 or even 8...Nd7, which I cover in the notes), Black played 8...c6, preventing d5:
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This sets up a restraint structure. Black's idea is to prevent any opening of the position until he catches up in development, after which he hopes that the bishop pair will prove its worth.
Classical Rubinstein 4 Bg5 dxe4 5 Nxe4 Be7 6 Nxf6+ Bxf6 7 Bxf6 Qxf6 8 Nf3 [C11]
Instead of the normal 6 Bxf6, 6 Nxf6 has been played a fair amount recently, as seen in Archives games. Then 6...Bxf6 7 Bxf6 Qxf6 8 Nf3 0-0 is quite an old line, where 9 Bd3 and 9 c3 were always played. Recently 9 Qd3 has attracted the attention of strong players:
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White wants to castle queenside quickly and perhaps launch a kingside attack. Black has a number of reasonable setups. In Van Foreest, J - Firouzja, A, Tata Steel Masters Wijk aan Zee 2024, played 9...Bd7 10 Qe3 Nc6 11 0-0-0 Rd8 with a complex and interesting position.
Tarrasch 3...c5 4 Ngf3 cxd4 5 Nxd4 Nf6 6 e5 [C07]
The variation 3 Nd2 c5 4 Ngf3 cxd4 5 Nxd4 Nf6 6 exd5 has been played extensively, as illustrated by various Archives games. White has failed to make progress in that line, and 6 e5 has been looked at again, with the idea 6...Nfd7 7 Ndf3 (7 f4? Nxe5!) 7...Nc6 8 Bf4:
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In Korobov, A - Mendonca, L, Tata Steel Challengers Wijk aan Zee 2024, Black tried 8...Be7. Here Black has played 8...Qb6 most often, which I discuss in the notes along with Medonca’s previous preference of 8...h6. After 8...Be7, White’s unusual 9 Bd3 was met with 9...g5! 10 Bg3 Qb6! and Black already had a small edge.
Till next month, John
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