Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation
Overview
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation is a chess opening at the root of the Closed & Semi-Closed Games family, classified under ECO code D85.
The Closed & Semi-Closed Games group covers closed and semi-closed games — 1.d4 systems characterised by long strategic manoeuvring rather than early tactics.
Play reaches this position via 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8. Rb1, after 15 plies of opening development.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- D85
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 15
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
144,288 games · White 50.9% / Draw 8.4% / Black 40.6%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| O-O | 88,336 | |
| Nc6 | 27,299 | |
| cxd4 | 11,804 | |
| Qa5 | 10,071 | |
| Bg4 | 3,884 | |
| b6 | 1,406 | |
| a6 | 867 | |
| Qc7 | 336 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:08:02
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