B03 Semi-open games

Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Karpov Variation

Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Karpov Variation is an ECO B03 opening in the semi-open games family. Study the line, review related variations, and practice the move order.

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Learn this opening

B03 study line

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Step through the line, then test it from memory.

The Alekhine Defense: Exchange Variation, Karpov Variation reaches a named position after 11 moves: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. exd6 cxd6 6. Nc3 g6 7. h3 Bg7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Be2 Nc6 10. O-O Bf5 11. Bf4

In practical games, this line matters because the early pawn and piece choices decide which middlegame plans are natural. Use the board above to learn the move order, then run the drill without hints before adding the opening to your regular queue.

If this exact branch does not appear in your games, study the related variations below. Openings often transpose, and recognizing the family pattern is more useful than memorizing one narrow sequence.