The Delayed Exchange Variation is a variation of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense, catalogued as ECO D75. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 O-O 5. g3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bg2 c5 8. O-O, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after eight moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.
On the Neo-Grünfeld Defense generally: ECO D70. A chess opening with 13 known variations.
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See all 13 Neo-Grünfeld Defense variations →
The Delayed Exchange Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 O-O 5. g3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bg2 c5 8. O-O. It is a variation of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense and is catalogued as ECO D75.
The Delayed Exchange Variation is ECO D75. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 O-O 5. g3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bg2 c5 8. O-O at +0.19 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, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three 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.