by Thomas Henrichs
The Orthodox Queens Gambit is one of the most solid openings which you can paly against 1.d4. The author comments: "The continuing popularity of the Exchange Variation can be explained by Whites unsuccessful attempts to seriously break down the ultra-solid lines of the Queens Gambit Declined (Tartakower Variation, Lasker Defence, etc.)." Besides the typical minority attack there are quite a few ways of playing the Exchange Variation, such as castling long for White and then an attack on the king, or else a build-up with e3, Bd3, Nge2, f3 and e4. This very variety has contributed to the fact, that almost all world champions have made use of the Exchange Variation.
The list in the large database contains 16 texts, in which, above all, the various strategic possibilities are handled in excellent fashion. If you understand these ideas, you do not need much theoretical knowledge in order to play the Exchange Variation.
