Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alekhine Variation
In the Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alekhine Variation, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.
The Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alekhine Variation is a chess opening classified under ECO code C68. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4 Bd6: 14 moves in, with White to play.
It belongs to the Ruy Lopez family — one of many ways the line can branch. Understanding the parent system’s plans is the fastest way to play this variation well.
Club players rarely lose the Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alekhine Variation in the opening itself. They lose it a few moves later, when the plan behind the moves runs out: that is what reading your own games in this line shows you.