12 games: 9 wins, 3 draws, and 0 loses
Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation
The Exchange Variation avoids much of the theory that comes along with most of the other Ruy Lopez variations. It avoids complication, something that can be extremely useful if White happen to be okay with a draw. After 4. Bxc6, Black has to play 4...dxc6. The alternative, 4...bxc6, leads to Steinitz Defense with an extra move for White. The main idea for White is to bring the game into the endgame where White would have a 4 to 3 pawn advantage on the King side. The pawn structure looks like this after 4...dxc6:
White will play d4 and the two pawns will come off the board. One of the best advantages is that White's plan is clear:
(1) Reduce material (expect the queen in some circumstances). (2) Get rid of Black's bishop pair. One of the main reasons the opening is not played by some players is because White has to give up his own bishop pair. (3) Create a passed pawn in the endgame.
Black's idea is to retain his bishop pair and attempt to gain a significant advantage before trading pieces. He may also try to attack the e4 pawn and try to use his 4 to 3 pawn advantage on the queen side, which will not be nearly as easy as it will be for White because of the doubled c-pawns. Below are all of Bobby Fischer's games with this opening.
