Exchange Variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined

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The Queen’s Gambit Declined is the most popular way to fight the attempt by white to give up (gambit) his c4 pawn. It has been played by top masters since the 19th century, and it will never lose popularity due to its solidity, flexibility, and the amount of different options it gives to black. In this video I have covered the Exchange Variation, a somewhat counter intuitive opening choice for white that seemingly solves black’s main strategic issue early on.
For an introduction to the Queen’s Gambit Declined, watch this video on the basics: • Introduction to the Qu...
By exchanging on d5 with cxd5 exd5, white has freed the c8 bishop! That piece is often the main issue in the black camp. But. There are specific reasons for that. Even though the diagonal is open now that the e6 pawn is no longer in the way, the bishop has no good squares to develop to.
The resulting pawn structure, known as the Karlsbad, is one of the most thematic in chess, and numerous books have been written on it.
In the video we are going to go over the main strategic plans of playing in the Karlsbad, namely the minority attack, one of the most powerful ways for white to play.
The Exchange QGD is a very rich opening despite its name, and many strong players play it with both sides. It’s seldom aggressive, and it leads to interesting positional and strategic battles where one weakness can decide the outcome!
#chess

[@Sudomarkii]

This has been my go-to opening since 2003, I’m glad to see you discuss it!

[@larryn1929]

I play the QG Exchange. You did an excellent job of introducing the QGD Exchange opening. Opportunities for a minority attack, fight for the middle or an all out attack on the king. Choose the one that fits your style!

[@stanleytime9193]

I think there are some nuances no?

[@justvince4158]

Heard of the minority attack years ago but never learned how to properly do it. Today i managed to play a QGD i can be proud of. Thank you

[@luccaregnato]

Ive watched this so many times, so good. Thank you so much

[@DexM47]

This was incredibly useful, thanks a lot.

[@samuelallred2058]

What an incredible explanation. Thank you for explaining the why behind each move, and for going into pawn structures. I wish every chess video was like this. And linking it to the minority attack. Ahh!! Love.

[@eliaspetrov]

Thanks a lot for your lessons! On 12.50 the rook is hanging.

[@sliceserve234]

is anyone going to tell him? ;)

[@henrids]

Thank you, great video !!!

[@SR_10]

Thank you! This is just Brilliant!!

[@kirkd1631]

I intend to try the exchange variation. This video was the most instructive for me. Thank you

[@fminc]

Stefan, THE MAN !!

[@vinigm]

What a great class

[@lucase.crusader1196]

Great video from beginning to end. Love the channel so far!

[@MrDanielfff777]

Thanks

[@yeetnow5914]

amazing vid

[@manolisjam3322]

Great vid as always been playing d4 for some months now without looking into theory to first get a hold of the positions arriving and i seem to like the exchange variation thanks for explaining all the strategic plans !!!! Do you have any videos on major pawn structures. Marozcy bind etc?

[@alfonstabz9741]

21:48 if e pawn takes the d5 pawn the black queen is oblige to move away means the d pawn can take the c pawn. black will be a pawn down at that scenario but white has isolated pawn in d file .. white must have a decisive middle game on that scenario or else the d pawn will be problematic in the end game..?

[@slickrub430]

I love your videos!!!

[@bhaveshkhatri28]

What if the dont play e6 after castle insted the go for the fianchitto of light square bishop

[@johncipolla8335]

Since this is your favorite ill start here. then branch out to other variations . ill look at some games now

[@michalmarcinek5216]

12:10 on h6 I take Bxf6 Bxf6 and win a pawn Bxg6 fg and Qxg6

[@harleykf1]

What's the best way to play against the f3 line? I've had a game where I lost and I had no idea what plan to use against it.

[@alphadoughnut2651]

Generally a kingside attack and utilizing open rook files is your best bet. You have to meet the rapid central expansion with complications elsewhere.

[@harleykf1]

@@alphadoughnut2651 Interesting. Since my last comment I've been trying an idea of fianchettoing my bishop on b7 and pushing my pawns on the queenside. I'm not sure how well it holds up in practice but I had a nice win with it against a reasonably strong player in OTB blitz, so it holds some promise for me.

[@emilsadykhov123]

Great content. One correction though, it’s carlsbad not Karlsbad.

[@HangingPawns]

The original name is Karlovy Vary, meaning Karlo's baths, so I use the Slavic version of the name in all languages:D

[@emilsadykhov123]

Oh wow, I didn’t know that! Thanks for sharing.

[@padammagar197]

nice one

[@sauryasircar5326]

Except the Ne2 and queenside plan, what exactly is Black playing for in the other two lines? It seems like white is the one with clear objectives while black just sits waiting for the inevitable...?

[@tameshrew469]

yes black usually tries to neutralise whites plans rather than going for their own plans

[@ntf5211]

Can't white just capture the d pawn on move 3 to get into the exchange variation quicker and avoid the tarrash?

[@yeetnow5914]

5:48

[@zieddams]

Excellent ,,,

[@helloworldx10]

Why would black play c6 in the first place?

[@alphadoughnut2651]

It’s the most solid choice. If Nc6 then you can play a similar minority attack except of attacking a pawn your attacking a knight

[@alfonstabz9741]

14:53 patrons or factors???

[@cartoonanimationkidsyt9723]

Hy its me Mehtab

[@Blueking_Bg]

Hi stepjan, there is also the idea of castling queenside when knight is on f3 itself.for example carlsen used this idea with white against mamedyarav and won in the 2019 world rapid and blitz championship. I think be knight will be stronger on e2 than f3 on that pawn storming variation but in grandmaster play d4 nf6 c4 e6 and most grandmasters play nf3 in order to avoid the nimzo Indian defense andby doing that the player with black pieces plays be7 and still grandmasters decide to play a king side attack. I just wanted to share this idea with you. What do you think?

[@stanleytime9193]

After d5 you can no longer really play the nimzo Indian, that's the Ragozin. If you go d4 nf6 c4 e6 nf3, that's the anti nimzo, after which black can play b6 (QID), Bb4+(Bogo) or d5, transposing to the QGD. There, White can no longer play the exchange variation

[@zachmcdowell4065]

Free MMR, thank you my guy

[@vivekbanerjee2111]

Le stephen: let's say black play this Le black: Am I 😜 joke to you 😄😁😁😁😁😁

[@DonaldSjervenE]

Curious. Unlike the previous video this was like a foreign language. My preferred move order as white is 1) d4 and 2) Nf3. Nobody as black aims to transpose into this.

[@franciscomadeira171]

Before e3, according to Shandorff's book on the queens gambit, Qc2 is probably better. Only now i saw this video, i'm a subscriber, even being a bit higher rated than you. I like your videos and explanations. Keep going.

[@stanleytime9193]

A bitter?

[@franciscomadeira171]

@@stanleytime9193 corrected

[@Alex-yq5xl]

Would be very nice, if you could cover Queens Gambit accepted. QGA is also very rare on youtube.

[@Jacksiloution]

Because its really simple and you have an advantage from them taking

[@Alex-yq5xl]

@@Jacksiloution One Answer after 3 years 😅 Its not an advantage for white.

[@danhub2700]

Stepjan what do you think about "to take is a mistake" because I notice you like to trade a lot!?

[@TheChessViking]

This is an overrated "rule". It's nice as a reminder but chess can't be simplified down to such simple rules. Sometimes taking is a mistake and sometimes it's the best option. The jist of this "rule" is that too many people automatically exchange pieces instead of thinking about who the trade benefits. My advice would be to try to evaluate each trade and trade or not trade based on that evaluation.

[@danhub2700]

Thanks Stepjan👍

[@danhub2700]

Simple rules are good 👍

[@TheChessViking]

@@danhub2700 hehe sorry for not minding my own business....just wanted to give my 2 cents about this advice which I think is severaly overrated.

[@danhub2700]

Leaving pieces on creates more chances for tactics and creating a much more fun game although I get trades are the idea. You know it is a GM I got that saying from and it makes perfectly good sense nothing overrated about it I don't think.

[@johncipolla8335]

the problem with lectures like this is that after the first 3 moved each side it never matches what he is saying.

[@tacticaltal]

Jeezalou, man did you have someplace to be, or were your trying to dazzle us with your command of the English language and speed talking?