Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Seville Variation (D87)

The Exchange Variation, Seville Variation is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense, catalogued as ECO D87. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O Bg4 11. f3 Na5 12. Bxf7+, reaching the position shown below after 23 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at four minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after 12 moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; White’s a-file pawn is isolated; Black’s e-file pawn is isolated.

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.

Position characteristics

• White material edge
• Same-side castling
• Isolated pawn

Related Grünfeld Defense lines

• Exchange Variation, Larsen Variation
• Exchange Variation, Larsen Variation
• Exchange Variation, Simagin's Improved Variation
• Exchange Variation, Simagin's Lesser Variation
• Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation
• Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation
• Exchange Variation, Sokolsky Variation
• Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation
• Three Knights Variation, Burille Variation, Reversed Tarrasch
• Lundin Variation
• Lutikov Variation, Murrey Attack
• Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit

See all 48 Grünfeld Defense variations →

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Exchange Variation, Seville Variation?

The Exchange Variation, Seville Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O Bg4 11. f3 Na5 12. Bxf7+. It is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense and is catalogued as ECO D87.

What is the ECO code for the Exchange Variation, Seville Variation?

The Exchange Variation, Seville Variation is ECO D87. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Grünfeld Defense.

Is the Exchange Variation, Seville Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O Bg4 11. f3 Na5 12. Bxf7+ at +0.51 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.

What kind of position does the Exchange Variation, Seville Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at four minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; White’s a-file pawn is isolated; Black’s e-file pawn is isolated.