Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation

ECO C68-C69intermediate

The Exchange Variation, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6, makes the Spanish threat real at the earliest moment: White inflicts doubled c-pawns and plays 5.0-0 intending d4, trading into positions where the healthy 4-vs-3 kingside majority promises a superior pure-pawn endgame. Fischer revived it as a winning attempt; Black's compensation — the bishop pair and open lines — demands active handling (...f6, ...Bg4 setups) rather than passive structural defense.

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Main line

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.

Move by move

The first 12 moves of the main line, explained one at a time. Every move of every variation is annotated like this inside the trainer — this page shows the opening moves so you can judge the explanations before signing up.

We open by marching the pawn out to e4, a light square right in the middle of the board. This is a great first move because it grabs space in the center and opens roads for our pieces to come out later.
Black answers by pushing a pawn forward to e5, a dark square in the center. Now both sides have claimed their share of the middle, and the game is set for an exciting fight over that important space.
White moves their knight from g1 to f3. This is a good developing move that helps get your pieces into the game!
Black moves their knight from b8 to c6. This is a good developing move, bringing a piece into the game.
White moves their bishop out from the starting spot and into play. This is called development, and it's a strong way to get your army ready for the game!
Black gently nudges the a-pawn up to a6, a light square on the edge. This little move asks the white bishop sitting on b5 a question: stay or move along? It is a calm, useful way to bother that bishop.
The white bishop moves from b5 to c6. It takes the black knight that was on c6. Great move! You removed a strong piece.
Black's pawn moves from d7 to c6 and takes the white bishop there. This is a good, simple capture that helps clear the board.
White castles kingside, moving the king from e1 to g1 and the rook from h1 to f1. This is a developing move, though it may be premature with central tension unresolved.
Black moves their bishop from c8 to g4. This is a good developing move, bringing a piece out to help control the board.
You moved your pawn from h2 to h3. That's a good, safe move. It makes a little more room for your king and bishop.
Black moves a pawn from its home square on h7 forward two spaces to h5. That's a strong push! It's a good way to start a fight on that side of the board.

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Win rates by rating

Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.

Rating	Games	White wins	Draws	Black wins	Position after
400-600	64	34.4%	10.9%	54.7%	1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6
600-800	128	48.4%	1.6%	50%	1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3
800-1000	96	22.9%	0%	77.1%	1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 h5
1000-1200	36	22.2%	5.6%	72.2%	1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 h5
1200-1400	1,083	28.1%	2.3%	69.6%	1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 h5
1400-1600	2,016	35.1%	3.1%	61.8%	1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 h5
1600-1800	389	43.2%	3.1%	53.7%	1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 h5
1800-2000	702	47.3%	3.3%	49.4%	1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 h5
2000-2200	793	47.2%	5.9%	46.9%	1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 h5
2200-2400	479	49.3%	8.1%	42.6%	1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 h5

Most played continuations (1400-1600 rating)

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 h5:

d3 — played 47.1% of the time (White wins 47.7%, draws 5.1%, Black wins 47.2%)
hxg4 — played 30% of the time (White wins 9.3%, draws 0.2%, Black wins 90.6%)
d4 — played 6.9% of the time (White wins 43.9%, draws 5%, Black wins 51.1%)

Related openings

Frequently asked questions

Isn't trading the Spanish bishop a concession?

It is a trade of one advantage for another: the bishop pair for a permanently better pawn structure. Every exchange thereafter favors White, which dictates both sides' strategy — White simplifies toward the winning king-and-pawn skeleton, Black keeps pieces on and uses the bishops aggressively.

How should Black handle the Exchange Spanish?

Actively: 5...f6 reinforcing e5 then ...Bg4 pressuring f3 and d4, or the dynamic 5...Bg4 immediately. Black should welcome middlegame complexity and avoid the queenless simplifications White angles for — the bishops need open, piece-rich positions to outweigh the structure.