Chess opening · ECO C01
French Defense: Exchange Variation
The French Defense: Exchange Variation starts 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5. It ranks #81 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.
Move by move
- 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
- 1... e6Black advances the e-pawn to e6.
- 2. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
- 2... d5Black pushes the d-pawn two squares to d5, staking a claim in the center.
- 3. exd5White takes the pawn on d5 with the e-pawn.
At the end of the line White is a pawn up. Black can take back on d5 at once.
What players choose next, by rating
The three most common Black moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. exd5 is the most popular next move in every rating band.
| Rating | Most common | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | exd5 83% | Qxd5 17% | – |
| 1200–1399 | exd5 78% | Qxd5 22% | – |
| 1400–1599 | exd5 84% | Qxd5 15% | c5 1% |
| 1600–1799 | exd5 92% | Qxd5 7% | Bd6 0% |
| 1800–1999 | exd5 95% | Qxd5 5% | – |
| 2000 and up | exd5 98% | Qxd5 2% | – |
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