Theoria
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Queen's Gambit Declined

Tartakower Defense, Exchange Variation

D58positionalsolid

  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.c4e6
  3. 3.Nc3Be7
  4. 4.Nf3Nf6
  5. 5.Bg5h6
  6. 6.Bh4O-O
  7. 7.e3b6
  8. 8.cxd5exd5
446 games55%39%

A Tartakower Defense line where Black recaptures 8...exd5, fixing the center and leaving the b7-bishop dependent on a later ...c5 break.

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About the Exchange Variation

Here Black answers 8. cxd5 by recapturing with the e-pawn, which opens the e-file for Black and the c-file for White. The d5-pawn is now fixed, so the bishop due for b7 bites on granite until Black prepares ...c5, often at the cost of hanging or isolated pawns. 9. Bd3 is by far the most popular reply and scores well for White. The engine gives White a slight edge and also rates 9. Be2 and 9. Rc1 highly.

Popular continuations