The Exchange Variation, Nadanian Attack is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense, catalogued as ECO D85. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Na4, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the Grünfeld Defense generally: A hypermodern defense where Black allows White a big center then undermines it with ...d5.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 48 Grünfeld Defense variations →
The Exchange Variation, Nadanian Attack goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Na4. It is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense and is catalogued as ECO D85.
The Exchange Variation, Nadanian Attack is ECO D85. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Grünfeld Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Na4 at +0.09 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.