Exchange Variation

The Exchange Variation is the most direct answer to 4. Bd2 in the Bogo-Indian. Instead of keeping the tension with 4...Qe7 or 4...a5, Black swaps the b4-bishop for its counterpart on d2 at once. The idea is simplification: a pair of minor pieces leaves the board, Black avoids committing to a particular structure, and the position becomes harder for White to sharpen. Ulf Andersson adopted the line, often when a draw was the goal, which reflects its reputation as a low-risk, equalizing choice.

White has two serious recaptures. 5. Nbxd2, chosen in roughly seven games out of ten, develops the queen's knight with tempo but places it on a square less active than c3. 5. Qxd2 keeps the b1-knight free to go to c3, at the cost of an early queen move. The third option, 5. Nfxd2, is almost never seen. Play after either main recapture is calm and maneuvering rather than tactical. The engine gives White a slight edge, and in online games White scores somewhat better than Black, broadly in line with the parent opening.