The Delayed Exchange is a variation of the French, Winawer Variation, catalogued as ECO C15. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bd3 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, Winawer Variation generally: One of the most complex French variations. Black pins the Nc3 with Bb4, leading to sharp pawn structures and dynamic play.
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See all 8 French, Winawer Variation variations →
The Delayed Exchange goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bd3 Nc6. It is a variation of the French, Winawer Variation and is catalogued as ECO C15.
The Delayed Exchange is ECO C15. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the French, Winawer Variation.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bd3 Nc6 at +0.40 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.