The Exchange Variation is a variation of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense, catalogued as ECO D71. The line runs 1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. d4 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nf3, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after six moves.
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 Exchange Variation goes 1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. d4 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nf3. It is a variation of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense and is catalogued as ECO D71.
The Exchange Variation is ECO D71. 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. c4 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. d4 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nf3 at +0.33 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 Black to move.