King's Indian Defense: Exchange Variation (E92)

The Exchange Variation is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E92. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. dxe5, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4 and e5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after seven moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the e-file.

On the King's Indian Defense generally: A hypermodern defense where Black allows White to build a big center, then counterattacks it.

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.

King's Indian Defense: Exchange Variation — position after dxe5 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. dxe5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3Nc3Bg7
4e4d6
5Nf3O-O
6Be2e5
7dxe5

ECO: E92

Stockfish: +0.22 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Indian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Exchange Variation?

The Exchange Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. dxe5. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E92.

What is the ECO code for the Exchange Variation?

The Exchange Variation is ECO E92. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Defense.

Is the Exchange Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. dxe5 at +0.22 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.

What kind of position does the Exchange Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4 and e5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the e-file.