Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation, Reshevsky Variation (D36)

The Exchange Variation, Reshevsky Variation is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, catalogued as ECO D36. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. Qc2 Be7 7. e3 O-O 8. Bd3 h6 9. Bh4, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after nine moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.

On the Queen's Gambit Declined generally: A solid and respected response to the Queen's Gambit. Black maintains a strong central presence.

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Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation, Reshevsky Variation — position after Bh4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. Qc2 Be7 7. e3 O-O 8. Bd3 h6 9. Bh4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4e6
3Nc3d5
4cxd5exd5
5Bg5c6
6Qc2Be7
7e3O-O
8Bd3h6
9Bh4

ECO: D36

Stockfish: +0.24 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Queen's Gambit Declined lines

Frequently asked questions

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

The Exchange Variation, Reshevsky Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. Qc2 Be7 7. e3 O-O 8. Bd3 h6 9. Bh4. It is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined and is catalogued as ECO D36.

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

The Exchange Variation, Reshevsky Variation is ECO D36. 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, Reshevsky Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. Qc2 Be7 7. e3 O-O 8. Bd3 h6 9. Bh4 at +0.24 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.

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

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.