D85
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation
Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4
The Exchange Variation is the most critical line of the Grünfeld. White builds an imposing pawn centre which Black then attacks. The resulting positions are among the most theoretically important in all of chess.
History & Notable Players
The Exchange Variation has been the primary battleground in the Grünfeld. Kasparov's games in this line are legendary.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
D80 - Grünfeld Defense258D81 - Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Accelerated Variation40D82 - Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack97D83 - Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit64D84 - Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit Accepted28D86 - Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Larsen Variation237D87 - Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Seville Variation220D88 - Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation30D89 - Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation38
Best Games
Gukesh,D vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
86th Tata Steel Masters • 2024★ Notable
Giri,A vs Nepomniachtchi,I1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Le,Quang Liem vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
So,W vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
11th Norway Chess 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2020 • 2021★ Notable
So,W vs Nepomniachtchi,I1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Chigaev,M1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 9 • 2020★ Notable
Giri,A vs Vachier Lagrave,M1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2020 • 2020★ Notable
So,W vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
Jerusalem FIDE Grand Prix • 2019★ Notable
So,W vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2019★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
7th Sinquefield Cup 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
7th Norway Chess 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Grischuk,A1-0
7th Norway Chess 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
Moscow FIDE Grand Prix • 2019★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
Geneva Grand Prix 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs So,W0-1
8th London Classic 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Giri,A vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015 • 2015★ Notable
Anand,V vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
WCh 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Grischuk,A0-1
2nd Norway Chess 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
2nd Norway Chess 2014 • 2014★ Notable