Queen's Gambit Declined

The idea

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6, Black backs up d5 with a second pawn instead of taking on c4. Black develops with ...Nf6, ...Be7 and castles, and later frees the game with ...c5 or ...dxc4 followed by ...c5 or ...e5. White pins the knight with Bg5 or plays Bf4, and builds pressure on the c-file and against d5.

The one drawback is the light-squared bishop on c8, which ...e6 shuts in. A big part of Black's plan is getting that bishop into play, through ...b6 and ...Bb7, or after a central break opens its diagonal. In the Exchange Variation, where White takes on d5, the pawn shape is fixed and both sides know their plans: White often attacks on the queenside with b4 and b5, Black looks to the kingside.

Solid, classical and well tested. Black gives White a small amount of space and in return gets a position with no real weaknesses. It has appeared in many world championship matches.

Players who want a sound answer to 1.d4 and like steady, strategic games. It teaches the main pawn structures of 1.d4 chess from the inside.

Know the Elephant Trap: if White grabs on d5 too greedily while your knight on f6 is pinned, a quick ...Nxd5 and ...Bb4 can win a piece.

The main line, move by move

1. 1.d4 · White takes space in the center with the queen's pawn, which the queen already guards, and opens the way for the bishop on c1. A solid, flexible first move.
2. 1...d5 · Black matches it and takes an equal share of the center. The pawn on d5 keeps White's e-pawn from advancing to e4 for free.
3. 2.c4 · The Queen's Gambit: the c-pawn attacks d5. If Black takes, White gets the pawn back and a bigger center; if not, White keeps up the pressure on d5.
4. 2...e6 · Black declines the pawn and supports d5 with the e-pawn, opening the way for the bishop on f8. The bishop on c8 is shut in for now; freeing it is Black's long-term job.
5. 3.Nc3 · White develops the knight and adds a second attacker on d5. The knight also prepares e4, which would give White the full center if Black allows it.
6. 3...Nf6 · Black develops the knight to its best square, where it guards d5 and controls e4. Both sides leave the pawns on c4 and d5 facing each other and develop their pieces around them.

Lines to learn: Queen's Gambit Declined

• Main line 4.Bg5
• Exchange (4.cxd5)
• If 5.Bf4

Next moves in book

• 3.Nc3 · Queen's Knight Variation
• 3.Nf3

Watch out for

• The Elephant Trap

Related openings

• Semi-Slav Defense D30–D49 · 49 named lines
• Queen's Gambit Accepted D20–D29 · 48 named lines
• Slav Defense D10–D19 · 43 named lines
• Queen's Gambit D06 · 1 named line