Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Exchange Variation
- 1.d4Nf6
- 2.c4e6
- 3.Nc3Bb4
- 4.e3O-O
- 5.Bd3d5
- 6.Nf3c5
- 7.O-Odxc4
- 8.Bxc4
569 games
Nimzo-Indian line in which Black captures 7...dxc4, releasing the central tension for open lines against d4; a balanced branch of the Gligoric System.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Exchange Variation
The Exchange Variation releases the central tension with 7...dxc4. White's bishop, already developed to d3, spends a second move recapturing on c4. In return Black gets the half-open d-file and keeps the c5-pawn bearing on d4. The most common reply is 8...cxd4, followed in frequency by 8...Nc6. Rarer choices are the Bronstein Variation, 8...Nbd7, and the Smyslov Variation, 8...Qe7. The engine rates the position as balanced, and results in online play are almost exactly even.
Popular continuations
- 8... cxd4 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Exchange Variation 50% 285
- 8... Nc6 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Exchange Variation 28% 161
- 8... Nbd7 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bronstein Variation 6% 34
- 8... Qe7 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation