The Delayed Exchange Variation is a variation of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense, catalogued as ECO D76. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Nb6, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after seven 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. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Nb6. It is a variation of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense and is catalogued as ECO D76.
The Delayed Exchange Variation is ECO D76. 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. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Nb6 at +0.27 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.