D86 Queen pawn games

Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Classical Variation

Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Classical Variation is an ECO D86 opening in the queen pawn games family. Study the line, review related variations, and practice the move order.

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Learn this opening

D86 study line

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Step through the line, then test it from memory.

The Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Classical Variation reaches a named position after 7 moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4

In practical games, this line matters because the early pawn and piece choices decide which middlegame plans are natural. Use the board above to learn the move order, then run the drill without hints before adding the opening to your regular queue.

If this exact branch does not appear in your games, study the related variations below. Openings often transpose, and recognizing the family pattern is more useful than memorizing one narrow sequence.