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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. d4/3...exd4

< Chess Opening Theory | 1. e4 | 1...e5 | 2. Nf3 | 2...d6 | 3. d4
Philidor Defence: Exchange Variation
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black pawnd7 black kinge7 black kingf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black kingd6 black pawne6 black kingf6 black kingg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 black kingc5 black kingd5 black kinge5 black kingf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 black kingd4 black pawne4 white pawnf4 black kingg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 white knightg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 white pawnd2 black kinge2 black kingf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishopg1 black kingh1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/3p4/8/3pP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w

Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4

Philidor Defence: Exchange Variation

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The Exchange Variation of the Philidor Defense is a well-known response from Black in the game of chess, aiming to immediately address the central tension.

Overview

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Initial Moves

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  1. e4 e5
  2. Nf3 d6
  3. d4 exd4 Black elects to take White's d4 pawn using the e5 pawn, instigating the Exchange Variation.

Initial Moves

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  • By taking on d4, Black instantly relieves the central tension.
  • White has a choice: recapture the pawn with the Knight (Nxd4) or the Queen (Qd4). Both options carry their implications:
    • Queen Recapture (Qxd4): This move exposes the Queen to potential tempo gains from Black, particularly the 4...Nc6 move.
    • Knight Recapture (Nxd4): This seems more logical, positioning the Knight centrally. In response, Black often plays 4...Nf6, directly attacking the e4 pawn. To counter this, White usually defends with 5. Nc3.

Initial Moves

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  • By opting for the Exchange Variation, Black sacrifices considerable center control, particularly White's well-positioned pawn and Knight.
  • The immediate and most common response from Black, 3...exd4, eases the central tension but at the cost of central control.

Initial Moves

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  • The Exchange Variation tends to be less advantageous for Black. Unlike other variations, Black neither retains a strong grip over the e5 square nor effectively counters White's central pawns.
  • Novices frequently use this move to swiftly resolve central tension and steer clear of advanced variations, especially those leading to Queen exchanges.

Theory table

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For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4

4
Nxd4
-		 =
Qxd4
-		 =

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References

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Wikipedia has related information at Philidor Defence

Bibliography

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  • ChessBase (2023). Philidor Defence.
  • Chess Openings for Beginners (2009). Philidor Defense: General Information.
  • ChessPathways (2019). PHILIDOR DEFENSE.
  • ChessPathways (2019). The Philidor Defense.
  • Chess Simplified (2019). Philidor Defence.
  • HangingPawns (2019). Introduction to the Philidor Defense.
  • Marsh, Sean (ChessAble) (2021). Chess Opening Basics: The Philidor Defense.
  • Prem, Krishna (2012). Chess openings - Philidor Defence.
  • The Chess Website (2012). Philidor Defense - Chess Openings.
  • Solomon, Ruddell (TheChessGiant) (2021). Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Philidor Defense!.
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