1. e2e4  1... e7e6  2. d2d4  2... d7d5  3. e4d5  3... e6d5  4. g1f3  4... f8d6  5. f1d3  5... g8e7  6. e1g1  6... c8g4  7. f1e1  7... b8c6  8. c2c3  8... d8d7  9. b1d2  9... e8c8 [%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is bad but very popular. My impression is that, nowadays, those who play the Exchange Variation against the French are often misunderstood—they are not as looking for a harmless way to make a draw as the previous generations of players. Placing the king on the queenside is a dangerous provocation, as White's attack comes quickly. 10. b2b4 [%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 10... d8e8  11. a2a4 [%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A bit slow. 11... f7f6 Black wants to protect the e5-square against a knight jump, but 11...Ng6 also avoids this while also creating play on the kingside. 12. a4a5  12... c8b8 