Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3

ECO D85

The Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern 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 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3.

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

The defining move Nf3 is chosen by White on move 7.

2 named continuations branch from this position, including the Kramnik's Line and the Pawn Grab Line.

Named variations

• Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation, Kramnik's Line — ECO D85
• Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation, Pawn Grab Line — ECO D85

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.