Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation, Exchange Line
- 1.d4Nf6
- 2.c4g6
- 3.Nf3Bg7
- 4.g3O-O
- 5.Bg2d6
- 6.O-Oc5
- 7.Nc3Nc6
- 8.dxc5dxc5
1,047 games
A symmetrical King's Indian Fianchetto line in which 8. dxc5 dxc5 opens the d-file and leaves a quiet, roughly balanced position with few imbalances.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Exchange Line
The Exchange Line resolves the central tension of the Yugoslav Variation with 8. dxc5 dxc5. This leaves a symmetrical structure with c-pawns facing each other on c4 and c5 and the d-file open, so play revolves around that file and the two long diagonals. The most common continuation is 9. Be3, which eyes the c5-pawn. The main alternatives are 9. Bf4 and the queen trade 9. Qxd8, which leads to a queenless middlegame. Engines judge the position roughly balanced, and results are close to even.