Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation
The Modern Exchange Variation is 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3, where White supports the big center with the knight instead of Bc4. Black hits d4 with ...c5 and ...Bg4, while White uses Rb1 and Be2 to prepare short castling and a later d5.
- Moves
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3
- ECO
- D85
- Engine
- +0.22 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 967 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 47.4%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 8.Rb1 hits b7 and keeps the rook off the long diagonal of the g7 bishop.
- Be2 and short castling, then d5 to gain space, as the top engine line shows.
- If Black plays ...Bg4, answer with h3 and Qxf3 after the trade.
- Keep the e4 and d4 pawns strong; they are your main asset.
Black
- 7...c5 hits d4 right away; then ...Nc6 and ...Qa5 add more attackers.
- ...Bg4 pins the f3 knight so it can no longer help defend d4.
- ...Qa5 and ...Qxa2 can win the a2 pawn when White's rook leaves a1.
- Castle quickly, since White's d5 push can come with tempo.
Plans and pawn structure
White has a big center with e4, d4 and c3, with a knight on f3 supporting d4. Black's plan is ...c5, ...Nc6, ...Bg4 and ...Qa5, hitting d4 and c3. White uses Rb1 to pressure b7, castles, and pushes d5 to gain space. The game is sharp: if White's center holds, White gets an attack; if not, Black's pieces dominate.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.22: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.22 7...c5 8.Rb1 O-O 9.Be2 Nc6 10.d5
- +0.54 7...Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 c5 10.d5
- +0.65 7...O-O 8.Be2 c5 9.O-O Qa5 10.Rb1
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
967 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.4%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation, Pawn Grab Line7...c5 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, play 7...c5 and castle, then increase pressure on d4 with ...Nc6 and ...Bg4. Avoid 7...O-O before ...c5 if you are not ready for Rb1 and d5. As White, Rb1 is a useful early move.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5; 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.Rb1.
Questions
What are the moves of the Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation?
The Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3. Its ECO code is D85.
Is the Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.22 at depth 20, which is level. In 967 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.4%. A main-line battle that demands concrete knowledge from both sides, especially around Rb1 and d5.
What is the main idea of the Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation?
White supports the e4-d4 center with Nf3 and Rb1. Black attacks it with ...c5, ...Bg4 and ...Qa5.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is c5, with Bg4 and O-O close behind. 7...c5 attacks d4 right away and opens the long diagonal for the g7 bishop.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.