French Defense: Exchange Variation, Svenonius Variation
The Svenonius Variation is the Exchange French reached via 3...Nf6 4.exd5 exd5, with 5.Bg5 pinning the f6 knight. White adds pressure on d5 and plans quick kingside development, while Black breaks the pin and fights for e4.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bg5
- ECO
- C01
- Engine
- −0.08 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,127 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 48.1%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Follow with Nf3, Bd3 and short castling. The pin on f6 slows Black's counterplay against d4.
- Play h3 to stop a bishop pin on g4, then retreat Bf4 or Bh4 when Black kicks the bishop.
- A bishop on b5 against ...Nc6, the second engine line, pins the knight and limits ...Ne4.
- Put a knight on e5 when possible; with no e-pawns it is a strong central post.
Black
- 5...Be7 breaks the pin and prepares castling. It is the engine's first choice.
- Play ...Nc6 to hit d4 and support ...Ne4, which trades off a white knight.
- Push ...h6 to question the g5 bishop; ...g5 is an option when White has not castled.
- Place the c8 bishop on e6 or g4 to guard d5 and fight for light squares.
Plans and pawn structure
The pawns are symmetrical, so the fight is over e4, e5 and the open e-file. White wants Bd3, Nf3, castling and a rook on e1, keeping the pin on f6 to stop ...Ne4. Black breaks the pin with ...Be7 and ...h6, then plays ...Nc6, ...Re8 and ...Ne4 to swap pieces. The side that wins the e-file usually gets the edge.
Where the engine's main line heads: Symmetrical center: d4 against d5, open e-file. A symmetrical center: d4 against d5 with an open e-file. Neither side has pawn weaknesses, so piece activity decides.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.08: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.08 5...Be7 6.Nf3 O-O 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.h3
- +0.06 5...Nc6 6.Bb5 Be7 7.Nf3 O-O 8.O-O
- +0.13 5...Be6 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Nf3 h6 8.Bh4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,127 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 48.1%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, play 5...Be7 and castle, then use ...h6 to make the bishop decide. Do not rush ...Ne4 before castling: after a trade on e4 your d-pawn leaves d5 and becomes a target. If White castles long, ...h6 and ...g5 become attacking ideas.
Questions
What are the moves of the French Defense: Exchange Variation, Svenonius Variation?
The French Defense: Exchange Variation, Svenonius Variation starts 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bg5. Its ECO code is C01.
Is the French Defense: Exchange Variation, Svenonius Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.08 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,127 lichess games from our sample, White scored 48.1%. A solid, low-theory option for White players who like slow pressure, but it gives Black a comfortable, equal game.
What is the main idea of the French Defense: Exchange Variation, Svenonius Variation?
White pins the f6 knight with 5.Bg5 in a symmetrical Exchange structure. Black unpins with ...Be7 and ...h6 and contests e4 and the open e-file.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Be7, with Nc6 and Be6 close behind. 5...Be7 breaks the pin and lets Black castle, the simplest way to equalize.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.