The Exchange Variation, Bogoljubow Variation is a variation of the French Defense, catalogued as ECO C01. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bg5 Nc6, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves. The e-file file is fully open.
On the French Defense generally: A solid defense where Black builds a strong pawn chain. Leads to strategic middlegames with clear plans.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 115 French Defense variations →
The Exchange Variation, Bogoljubow Variation goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bg5 Nc6. It is a variation of the French Defense and is catalogued as ECO C01.
The Exchange Variation, Bogoljubow Variation is ECO C01. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the French Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bg5 Nc6 at +0.26 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. The e-file file is fully open.