Tree path 4 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Queen's Gambit › Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense › Exchange Variation
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Pawn Game D00
- Queen's Gambit D06
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense D07
- Exchange Variation D07 you are here
Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, Exchange Variation
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, Exchange Variation is a sacrificial opening line filed under ECO D07 in the Closed & Semi-Closed Games group. The defining idea is the early concession of material to seize the initiative and unbalance the position.
The Closed & Semi-Closed Games group covers closed and semi-closed games — 1.d4 systems characterised by long strategic manoeuvring rather than early tactics.
The line arises from 6 plies — specifically the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. cxd5 Qxd5.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.
It continues primarily into one named line, Costa's Line.
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
- D07
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 6
- Direct variations
- 1
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
705,423 games · White 51.1% / Draw 4.9% / Black 44.0%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Nf3 | 401,831 | |
| e3 | 207,987 | |
| Nc3 | 93,241 | |
| e4 | 843 | |
| Be3 | 576 | |
| f3 | 271 | |
| a3 | 234 | |
| Bf4 | 149 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:29:15
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Submissions are reviewed before publishing.