Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation is a sacrificial opening line filed under ECO D35 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.
It is reached after 12 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. e3 b6 5. Nc3 Bd6 6. cxd5 exd5.
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
- D35
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 12
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
7,018 games · White 43.1% / Draw 4.9% / Black 51.9%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Bd3 | 3,410 | |
| Bb5+ | 1,094 | |
| Be2 | 845 | |
| h3 | 338 | |
| Qb3 | 207 | |
| Ne5 | 193 | |
| Nb5 | 189 | |
| a3 | 181 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:42:09
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Submissions are reviewed before publishing.