The Exchange Variation is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, catalogued as ECO D35. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. e3 b6 5. Nc3 Bd6 6. cxd5 exd5, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after six moves.
On the Queen's Gambit Declined generally: A solid and respected response to the Queen's Gambit. Black maintains a strong central presence.
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.
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The Exchange Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. e3 b6 5. Nc3 Bd6 6. cxd5 exd5. It is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined and is catalogued as ECO D35.
The Exchange Variation is ECO D35. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Gambit Declined.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. e3 b6 5. Nc3 Bd6 6. cxd5 exd5 at -0.11 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move.