Reference position · Black to move

C01 French Defense: Exchange Variation

C01 holds six named lines, all under the name French Defense. It leaves C00 (French Defense) with 3.exd5. When the reference line ends, White is one pawn up on material. Black’s pieces and pawns attack three squares in White’s half, level for the fewest of the 19 French Defense codes. Black, to move in that position, has 35 legal moves, the fourth-highest count of the 19 French Defense codes.

Score sheet
#	White	Black
1	e4	e6
2	d4	d5
3	exd5

Moves only C01 plays

Same as C02 up to 2...d5, then:

3.exd5 The e-pawn takes the pawn on d5, covering c6 and e6.

Lines filed under C01

All six share the start 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 and then split two ways at White’s move 3.

Name	After the shared start	Plies	At the end
French Defense: Exchange Variation	3.exd5	5	White +1
French Defense: Exchange Variation	3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf3	7
French Defense: Exchange Variation	3.exd5 exd5 4.Nc3	7
French Defense: Exchange Variation, Monte Carlo Variation	3.exd5 exd5 4.c4	7
French Defense: Exchange Variation, Svenonius Variation	3.Nc3 Nf6 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bg5	9
French Defense: Exchange Variation, Bogoljubow Variation	3.exd5 exd5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bg5 Nc6	10

The road to C01

1.e4 … 1...e6two earlier stops: B00, C00
2.d4C00 Normal Variation
2...d5C00 French Defense
3.exd5C01

The position after 3.exd5

White has a half-open e-file; Black a half-open d-file. Black could capture with Qxd5, exd5. Undefended and attacked: the pawn on d5.

Closest boards in other codes

Code	Line	Differs on
B13	Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation	four squares: c6, e6, c7, e7
C03	French Defense: Tarrasch Variation	four squares: b1, d2, e4, d5
C10	French Defense: Paulsen Variation	four squares: b1, c3, e4, d5
D00	Queen’s Pawn Game	four squares: e2, d5, e6, e7
D30	Queen’s Gambit Declined	four squares: c2, e2, c4, d5
A40	Queen’s Pawn Game	five squares: e2, d5, e6, d7, e7
A41	Queen’s Pawn Game	five squares: e2, d5, d6, e6, e7

Open this line in the finder All French Defense codes