Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5

ECO D85

The Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation is a chess opening line in the Grünfeld Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5.

It is catalogued under code D85 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Nxd5 is chosen by Black on move 4.

9 named continuations branch from this position, including the Modern Exchange Variation and the Nadanian Attack.

Named variations

• Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation — ECO D85
• Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Nadanian Attack — ECO D85
• Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Classical Variation — ECO D86
• Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Larsen Variation — ECO D86
• Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Simagin's Improved Variation — ECO D86
• Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Simagin's Lesser Variation — ECO D86
• Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Seville Variation — ECO D87
• Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation — ECO D87
• Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Sokolsky Variation — ECO D89

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Grunfeld Defense course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.