The Delayed Exchange Variation is a variation of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense, catalogued as ECO D75. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O c5 8. dxc5, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. 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; the d-file file is fully open.
On the Neo-Grünfeld Defense generally: ECO D70. A chess opening with 13 known variations.
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 13 Neo-Grünfeld Defense variations →
The Delayed Exchange Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O c5 8. dxc5. 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. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O c5 8. dxc5 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.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at two 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; the d-file file is fully open.