Chess Openings Lab
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Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Ultra-Delayed Exchange Variation

The Ultra-Delayed Exchange Variation is 7.cxd5 cxd5 in the Neo-Grünfeld, giving a symmetrical center with an open c-file. White hopes for a small edge with Nc3 and Ne5, while Black aims for active pieces and equality.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 O-O 5.Bg2 c6 6.O-O d5 7.cxd5 cxd5
ECO
D79
Engine
+0.16 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
211 games in our lichess sample
White scores
52.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 8.Nc3 and Ne5 pressure d5 and the long diagonal, as the top engine line shows.
  • Bf4 and Qb3 can force a queen trade and a calm endgame.
  • Use Rc1 to take the open c-file first.
  • Keep the knights active on e5 and c3.

Black

  • 8...Nc6 develops and fights for e5 and d4.
  • ...Bf5 and ...Rc8 take the c-file and develop actively.
  • ...Ne4 trades pieces and eases Black's position.
  • ...Qb6 can force a queen trade if White plays Bf4 and Qb3.

Plans and pawn structure

The center is symmetrical with d4 against d5 and an open c-file. White's plan is to occupy e5 with a knight, take the c-file with Rc1 and pressure d5. Black does the same with ...Nc6, ...Bf5 and ...Rc8, and may use ...Ne4 to trade pieces. The game is calm and drawish, with small edges going to the side that controls the c-file and e5.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.16: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.16 8.Nc3 Nc6 9.Ne5 Bf5 10.Be3 h5
  2. +0.14 8.Ne5 Ng4 9.Nf3 Nf6 10.Nc3 Nc6
  3. +0.04 8.Bf4 Qb6 9.Qb3 Qxb3 10.axb3 Nc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

211 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.1%.

1600–199950.0%
2000 and up54.8%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

As Black, develop with ...Nc6, ...Bf5 and ...Rc8 and use ...Ne4 to trade. Avoid passive moves that let White take the c-file and e5. As White, play for a small edge with Ne5 and Rc1.

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.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 O-O 5.Bg2 c6 6.O-O d5 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.Nc3 Nc6; 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 O-O 5.Bg2 c6 6.O-O d5 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.Nc3 Nc6 9.Bf4; 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 O-O 5.Bg2 c6 6.O-O d5 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.Nc3 Ne4.

Questions

What are the moves of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Ultra-Delayed Exchange Variation?

The Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Ultra-Delayed Exchange Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 O-O 5.Bg2 c6 6.O-O d5 7.cxd5 cxd5. Its ECO code is D79.

Is the Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Ultra-Delayed Exchange Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.16 at depth 20, which is level. In 211 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.1%. A calm, solid line for players who like symmetrical structures, with small edges going to the better technician.

What is the main idea of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Ultra-Delayed Exchange Variation?

White trades on d5 to get a symmetrical structure and fight for the c-file. Black develops and aims for equality.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nc3, with Ne5 and Bf4 close behind. 8.Nc3 develops and prepares Ne5 to pressure d5.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.