Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation (D88)

The Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense, catalogued as ECO D88. 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 cxd4 11. cxd4, reaching the position shown below after 21 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move after 11 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; the c-file file is fully open.

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

• Same-side castling
• Isolated pawn
• Open file

Related Grünfeld Defense lines

• Exchange Variation, Simagin's Improved Variation
• Exchange Variation, Simagin's Lesser Variation
• Exchange Variation, Seville Variation
• Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation
• Exchange Variation, Sokolsky Variation
• Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation
• Flohr Variation
• Three Knights Variation, Petrosian System
• 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, Spassky Variation?

The Exchange Variation, Spassky 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 cxd4 11. cxd4. It is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense and is catalogued as ECO D88.

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

The Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation is ECO D88. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Grünfeld Defense.

Is the Exchange Variation, Spassky 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 cxd4 11. cxd4 at +0.53 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, Spassky Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. 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; the c-file file is fully open.