Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation 6. cxd5 exd5
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Statistics from Lichess
7,018 games: White 43.1% / Draw 4.9% / Black 51.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,4103,410 | ||
| 1,0941,094 | ||
| 845845 | ||
| 338338 | ||
| 207207 | ||
| 193193 | ||
| 189189 | ||
| 181181 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.01 The position is about equal
Best play: 7. Bd3 Bb7 8. O-O O-O 9. Nb5 Be7 10. b3 a6 11. Nc3 Bd6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation (ECO D35, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a declined gambit that starts 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. e3 b6 5. Nc3 Bd6 6. cxd5 exd5.
In 7,018 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 43.1%, Black 51.9% and 4.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Bd3, in 49% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 6…exd5
The most played answer, 7. Bd3, also scores best for White: 46.7%, with White winning 44.2% and Black 50.7% of 3,410 games. Of the main answers, 7. Be2 scores lowest: 44.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. Bd3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation (D35)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/queens-gambit-declined-exchange-variation-2