Queens Gambit Exchange Variation

I was wondering what White's strategic plan in playing the Queens Gambit exchange variation? ie 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3  Nf6 4. cd5 ed5

How does White benefit from the exchange?

Hi BT90210--this variation is a cornerstone of positional play because the key difference is the pawn formations.  Looking at the shell below makes it easier; if we ignore the other pieces, we see white's half-open c-file and kingside majority versus black's half-open e-file with queenside majority.  So this defines the middlegame: an unbalanced, often surprisingly aggressive push in opposite sectors of the board.  White's obvious plan is f3 supporting e4 at some point, but he can use b4-b5 to create a backwards weakness on c6 as well.  QGD Exchange endgames usually favor white because of these plans, so for a strong middlegame defender it's a very successful system.

Thanks pentiumjs for your explanation. I have a better understanding of whites plan after reading and observing your pawn structure explanation.

The two normal white plans are shown/described here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_Gambit_Declined#Exchange_Variation:_4.cxd5_exd5

Having played both plans, I'd say the minority attack is the easier to play, particularly in blitz or bullet at my level. The central advance is supposed to have a much higher chance of producing a white edge compared to the minority attack, but of course it is harder to play.

The idea behind the exchange is simple.  Executing it isn't so easy.

In the Main Line QGD, where White allows Black to take on c4, Black plays ...dxc4 after White has moved the Bishop, and after a Bishop Recapture, the pawn structure dictates that Black needs to find a way to break with c5 or e5.

In the Exchange, the c5 break isn't so easy because then Black is saddled with a weak d5 pawn.

As for White's plans, there are 3 of them available to White:

Plan A) Castle Kingside, play the Rooks to c1 and b1, Queen to c2, and advance the b-pawn to b5 (called the Minority Attack).  Be careful not to play b5 at a time that ...c5 benefits Black.  Idea is, if White trades on c6, Black has a backwards c-pawn.  If Black advances c5 or takes on b5, both b7 and d5 are weak.

Plan B) Go for a central attack via f3 and e4.  Then you have to factor in a number of pawn structures.  If Black takes on e4 and White takes with a piece, you have an IQP for White.  If Black takes and White takes with the pawn, you have Hanging pawns for White.  If Black doesn't take on e4, White could advance it to e5 and you have the advanced center.  If Black doesn't take on e4 and White trades on d5, you have mutual IQP positions.

Plan C) Play an early Qc2 (instead of Rc1), Castle Queenside, and go for a Kingside Pawn Storm.  In this line, ...h6 is often answered (though no always, must analyze each position individually) with h4 rather than moving the Bishop.  Your typically Opposite Side Castling race occurs here.  Black will storm the Queenside, White the Kingside.