Winawer Variation, Delayed Exchange Variation

The Delayed Exchange Variation answers the Winawer pin with 4. exd5, releasing the central tension one move later than the ordinary Exchange French (3. exd5). The result is an Exchange structure with Nc3 and ...Bb4 already on the board, and that inclusion changes its character. White frequently follows up with a3 to ask the bishop to take on c3; after bxc3 the pawn structure is no longer symmetrical, so the position carries more imbalance and fewer drawing tendencies than the standard Exchange French.

Black's main and most popular reply is 4...exd5, recapturing toward the center and keeping a symmetrical pawn chain for the moment. Surrendering the bishop at once with 4...Bxc3+ is a less common choice, as is 4...Qxd5, which centralizes the queen and has been tried as a way to steer the opponent away from familiar theory; both score somewhat worse for Black in practice. The engine regards the position as roughly balanced, and decisive results occur at nearly equal rates for both sides in online play.