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Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 · D35–D36

Part of Queen's Gambit Declined

Starting positionWhite to move

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A minority attack still needs preparation

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The idea

White fixes the structure early and plays a clear, plan-based game: the minority attack with b4 and b5 against Black's c6 pawn.

Main line: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 Be7 7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.Qc2 O-O

What White wants

  • Play b4 and b5 and attack the c6 pawn immediately
  • Develop with Bd3, Qc2 and Nf3 and castle short
  • Trade into an endgame where Black's d5 pawn is weak

What Black wants

  • Meet b4–b5 with ...cxb5 and active piece play
  • Develop with ...Nbd7, ...O-O and ...Re8
  • Trade knights to defend c6 and keep the structure intact

Key idea

Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.

A minority attack still needs preparation

After the central exchange, White has two queenside pawns against Black's three. A prepared b4–b5 advance can create a backward c6 pawn or, after ...cxb5, an isolated d5 pawn. Piece activity and tactical support determine when the pawn advance works.

Common mistake

Playing b4–b5 without checking piece activity and the c-file. ...cxb5 is a normal defensive option: it leaves Black an isolated d5 pawn but may also produce counterplay. White must support the advance and organise the rooks before expecting a positional gain.

Mistake example: cxb5.

Representative position

The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.

r1bq1rk1/pp1nbppp/2p2n2/3p2B1/3P4/2NBP3/PPQ2PPP/R3K1NR w KQ - 5 9

Analyze this position

Related openings

Queen's Gambit Declined1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 · D30–D69Black holds d5 with ...e6 and accepts a slightly cramped but extremely solid position — the classical answer to 1.d4 for over a century.Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 · D55–D69The textbook QGD: both sides develop along classical lines and the game turns on whether Black can free the position with ...c5 or ...dxc4 at the right moment.Queen's Pawn Opening1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 · D00–D69White stakes a claim in the centre with the queen's pawn and immediately challenges Black's d5 — the solid, positional counterpart to 1.e4.Semi-Slav Defense1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 · D43–D49Black combines the Slav and the QGD — ...c6 and ...e6 together — creating a fortress that then expands on the queenside with ...b5.