The Exchange Variation, Keres Variation is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C68. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nc3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). White is ahead in development, with three minor pieces out to Black's one. It is Black to move after five moves. Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black has the bishop pair.
On the Ruy Lopez generally: One of the oldest and most classical openings. White develops rapidly and puts pressure on Black's center.
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The Exchange Variation, Keres Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nc3. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C68.
The Exchange Variation, Keres Variation is ECO C68. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nc3 at -0.26 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, 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 e4, Black on e5). White is ahead in development, with three minor pieces out to Black's one. It is Black to move. Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black has the bishop pair.