Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation, Chameleon Variation (D35)

The Exchange Variation, Chameleon Variation is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, catalogued as ECO D35. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 O-O 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. Qc2 Re8 9. Nge2 Nf8 10. O-O-O, reaching the position shown below after 19 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move after ten moves. The kings have gone to opposite wings (White queenside, Black kingside), which usually means both sides attack with pawns and the faster attack wins.

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.

Position characteristics

• Contested centre
• Opposite-side castling

Related Queen's Gambit Declined lines

• Tarrasch Defense, Stoltz Variation
• Exchange Variation
• Exchange Variation
• Exchange Variation, Carlsen Variation
• Exchange Variation, Positional Variation
• Exchange Variation, Positional Variation
• Exchange Variation, Sämisch Variation
• Exchange Variation, Reshevsky Variation
• Austrian Defense, Haberditz Variation
• Baltic Defense, Argentinian Gambit
• Chigorin Defense, Exchange Variation, Costa's Line
• Albin Countergambit, Balogh Variation

See all 150 Queen's Gambit Declined variations →

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Exchange Variation, Chameleon Variation?

The Exchange Variation, Chameleon Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 O-O 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. Qc2 Re8 9. Nge2 Nf8 10. O-O-O. It is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined and is catalogued as ECO D35.

What is the ECO code for the Exchange Variation, Chameleon Variation?

The Exchange Variation, Chameleon 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.

Is the Exchange Variation, Chameleon Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 O-O 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. Qc2 Re8 9. Nge2 Nf8 10. O-O-O at -0.32 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, 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.

What kind of position does the Exchange Variation, Chameleon Variation lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move. The kings have gone to opposite wings (White queenside, Black kingside), which usually means both sides attack with pawns and the faster attack wins.