Queens Gambit declined, exchange variation

Hi! I wanted to ask everyone, do you think the QGD exchange variation is the best variation for white in the Queens Gambit? Why isn't it played very often in GM games?

Thanks a lot!

It is played often...

U should watch Kaidanov video series on chess.com about Queen's gambit declined.

It is so good that it is now frequently avoided at the higher levels with 3...Be7

Thanks a lot! How about which one do you prefer Nge2 or Nf3?

So do you think it is the Best variation that white can enter. If not what is?

Copypasted from another thread :

One thing I'd like to know is, why in opening books you find 3.cxd5  immediately after 1.d4 d5  2.c4 c6 in Exchange Slav, but in QGR 3.Nc3 Nf6 always comes before?

Question by me.

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.cxd5?! would allow black to develop differently.

For example, he can play something like Bd6-Ne7 (like exchange french), where Bd6 more active than e7, and not being harassed by Bg5 pining.

Some variations :

Thank you very much!

For the queens gambit declined exchange to be effective white has to be able to limit the development of black's white squared bishop. Playing 3xd5 allows extra options for black like 3...pxp 4Nc3 c6 then Bd6 and ne7 followed by bf5 when required.

So do you guys reccomend the standard Bf4, Bg5 or the exchange variation?

Possibly helpful:

A Strategic Chess Opening Repertoire for White by IM John Watson (2012), Playing 1.d4 by Lars Schandorff (2012), The Kaufman Repertoire for Black & White by GM Larry Kaufman (2012), and A Cunning Chess Opening Repertoire for White by Graham Burgess (2013).

https://web.archive.org/web/20140627105428/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen161.pdf

https://web.archive.org/web/20140626221508/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen162.pdf

http://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/john-watson-book-review-110-repertoires-in-the-age-of-carlsen

I think Watson, Schandorff, and Kaufman discussed the exchange variation.

For example why isn't the Exchange variation played by Carlsen, Anand, MVL, Aronian... and other top of the line GM's? Why isn't it played in the Candidates Tournament, London Chess Classic... and other top level tournaments while the standard Bf4 is played much more often.

It is played. As a matter of fact, it's part of the repertoire of virtually any 2700+ player.

But why do you care if Super-GM ABC plays the XYZ opening? Most of the times he plays it for reasons that are alien to the average Joe.

Yes!

This sort of question takes me back a few decades. I once asked a life master for some quick advice and he suggested that we play a quick game where I play six moves (staying to my side of the board) while he skipped his turn. After defeating me easily, he said that this was a big part of my problem. I'm not sure if there is a book to specifically help with how to proceed from 4 Bf4 etc. if Black just moves the king back and forth, but it might help to try to find a book with sample 4 Bf4 games. One could get some idea of what to do if Black IS trying to stop White's plans and create counterplay. Unfortunately, I don't know of a book with many such games. I think the Kaufman book might have a few relevant games. Perhaps it would help to look at a few books on attacking - things like Simple Attacking Plans, Starting Out: Attacking Play, and Fighting Chess Move by Move. Maybe it would help to look at Simple Chess by GM Stean.

It is now frequently avoided at the higher levels!!

what is D37, what is D35?

Please just give the moves and not ECO numbers which are just good for machines...