Alekhine's Defense - Exchange Karpov Variation
Alekhine’s Defense, Exchange Variation – Karpov Variation
Definition
The Karpov Variation of the Exchange Variation in Alekhine’s Defense arises after the
following move order:
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. exd6 exd6
• “Alekhine’s Defense” is the hyper-modern reply 1…Nf6 against 1. e4, in which Black
invites the e-pawn to advance and later attacks the resulting center.
• “Exchange Variation” refers to 5.exd6, when White captures the pawn on d6, forcing
Black to recapture and thereby exchanges one of the central pawns.
• “Karpov Variation” is specifically the recapture 5…exd6. The line is named for
former World Champion Anatoly Karpov, who employed and refined it in the early 1970s.
Typical Continuations
After 5…exd6 the most common branching point is:
6. Nc3 Be7
7. Nf3 O-O
8. Be2 Bg4 (or 8…Bf5)
Both sides have a solid structure, but the middlegame plans differ sharply:
- White: Pressure the d6-pawn, expand on the queenside with a4–a5 or c5, and contemplate kingside space gains with h3, g4.
- Black: Counter-attack the center with …c5 or …d5, exchange minor pieces to reduce White’s spatial plus, and exploit the long diagonal once the light-squared bishop reaches g7 (after …g6 or a later fianchetto).
Strategic Themes
- Balanced pawn structure – Both sides keep four pawns in the center & kingside, but Black’s pawn on d6 can become a static weakness or a dynamic lever.
- Piece play over pawn storms – Because the e- and d-files are half-open, rooks and queens frequently occupy them early.
- Color-complex battle – White often targets the dark squares (c6, d5, e6) while Black fights for the light squares (e5, f4, g3).
Historical Significance
Before the 1970s Black usually preferred 5…cxd6 (the “Classical” recapture). Karpov introduced 5…exd6 to obtain a more resilient, less theoretical structure. His success with it—particularly in USSR Championship games against grandmasters such as Gennady Sosonko 1971 and Valery Zilberstein 1973—brought the line into the mainstream. Modern engines confirm its soundness, and it remains a practical choice for players who enjoy maneuvering play rather than sharp tactical melees.
Illustrative Game
Karpov–Sosonko, USSR Championship, Riga 1971 (annotated highlights):
[[Pgn| 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 exd6 6.Nc3 Be7 7.Nf3 O-O 8.Be2 Bg4 9.h3 Bh5 10.O-O Nc6 11.b3 d5 12.c5 Nc8 13.Bf4 Bf6 14.Ne5 Bxe2 15.Nxe2 N8e7 16.Nxc6 Nxc6 17.Qd2 Re8 18.Rad1 Qd7 19.Be3 a5 20.Nc3 h6 21.Rfe1 Re6 22.Qd3 | fen|r2q1rk1/ppp2pp1/2np1b1p/nP1P4/8/P1NPBP1P/1P2QPP1/R3R1K1 b - - 0 22 ]]Karpov eventually converted a small queenside majority into a winning endgame, showcasing Black’s enduring defensive resources but also the latent brittleness of the d6-pawn if Black mishandles the timing of …d5.
Practical Tips
- For White: Try to keep pieces on the board and avoid releasing the tension with d5 unless it is clearly favorable.
- For Black: Watch the clock—this line rewards precise maneuvering. A well-timed …c5 or …d5 equalizes; mistiming it leaves a backward pawn.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Anatoly Karpov once joked in an interview that he adopted Alekhine’s Defense because “it was the only opening that made my opponents over-extend for me.”
- Current elite grandmasters such as Alexander Grischuk and Ian Nepomniachtchi have revived the Karpov Variation in rapid and blitz, counting on its solidity and the surprise value against well-prepared computer lines.
- The structure after 5…exd6 is identical (save for piece placement) to a line of the French Defense, making the variation a useful transpositional weapon.
Quick Reference
ECO Code: B03
Main line: 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 exd6