Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation
ECO D85 · Grünfeld Defense · tactical · advanced
The Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation (D85) is a tactical chess opening in the Grünfeld Defense family, played by Black. It arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5. Fight around the white center. Very rich theory. Recommended for advanced players.
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5
About this opening
The Exchange Variation (4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3) is the main line of the Grünfeld: White builds a massive pawn center on c3, d4 and e4, exactly the target Black is watching for. With ...c5, ...Bg7 and pressure on d4, Black strives to make it collapse. The whole strategic debate of the opening lies there: is this center a crushing strength or a weakness to exploit?