Tree path 3 levels Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation › Queen's Gambit Declined: Barmen Variation › Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation, Sämisch Variation
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation D37
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Barmen Variation D37
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation, Sämisch Variation D35 you are here
Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation, Sämisch Variation
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation, Sämisch Variation is a gambit, classified under ECO code D35 within the Closed & Semi-Closed Games family. As with all gambits, one side sacrifices material early — usually a pawn — in exchange for development, open lines, or initiative.
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 11 plies — specifically the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bf4.
It is a variation of Queen's Gambit Declined: Barmen Variation, which itself descends from the root opening Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation.
Step through the moves on the interactive board below, review the live Lichess statistics, or play this position against Stockfish at one of six difficulty levels.
- ECO code
- D35
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 11
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
19,744 games · White 52.8% / Draw 6.7% / Black 40.5%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| c6 | 12,076 | |
| Bb4 | 3,358 | |
| a6 | 1,362 | |
| Be7 | 1,217 | |
| Nb6 | 548 | |
| c5 | 424 | |
| Bd6 | 380 | |
| b6 | 199 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:32:19
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