Queen's Gambit Declined
Overview
The Queen's Gambit Declined is a chess opening that begins with the following moves:
- d4 d5
- c4 e6
Note: This article is about the Queen’s Gambit Declined. To learn about the Queen’s Gambit overall, click here.
How to reach The Queen's Gambit Declined?
- First, White must move the Queen’s pawn two squares (1.d4).
- Then, Black replies by moving his Queen’s pawn two squares (1...d5).
- White wants to attack the d5-pawn by moving his pawn two squares (2. c4).
- Black defends his d5-pawn by moving his King’s pawn one square (2…e6).
Take a look at the moves below:
Why Play The Queen's Gambit Declined?
Declining the Queen’s Gambit has been proven to be one of the best ways to counter the Queen’s Gambit opening.
This option is the most used counter at the highest levels of chess.
What Are The Different Ways Of Declining The Queen’s Gambit?
The Ragozin Variation is the most popular way (similar to Nimzo-Indian Defense) to decline the Queen’s Gambit.
It is characterized by the pinning the c3 knight and indirectly putting pressure on e4.
Black gains a lead in development and his strategic problem is the c8 bishop, which can be solved with either c5 or e5.
In the Tarrasch Defense, Black challenges the center immediately and solves the problem of the passive light squared bishop on c8.
But he gets another problem — a potential isolated d-pawn.
This way of playing is extremely aggressive for Black to play.
The Charousek variation is an extremely flexible opening system for Black.
By playing this variation, Black wants to castle kingside as soon as possible and prevent the annoying Bg5 pin, making it less effective in advance.
Every move explained
Ragozin Variation
How To Reach It
The Ragozin Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined appears on the board after the following moves:
- d4 d5
- c4 e6
- Nc3 Nf6
- Nf3 Bb4
You can see the moves here:
Why play the Ragozin Variation
By playing this variation, Black gains a lead in development and has only one strategic problem — the c8 bishop being blocked in, which can be solved with either c5 or e5.
White's Moves
Use dark squared bishop to pin Black’s Knight to the Queen
With the move: 4.Bg5, White pins the Knight to the Queen and Black can’t defend the d5 pawn anymore, since if it moves, the Queen is under attack.
Control flank diagonal
By attacking the bishop on b4, White wants to take black’s d-pawn, play e3 (to solidify his pawn structure) and use the light-squared bishop to put pressure onto Nc3.
With the e2-e4 breakthrough, White occupies the central squares in exchange for long-term pawn structure weaknesses.
Black's moves
Use Queen’s Knight To Backup Kings Knight on d7
Black places his King’s Knight on c6 to defend the d5 square and pawn.
Then White normally moves his Bishop to g4 to try and pin the Knight on c6 and make it so it can’t defend the d5 pawn anymore.
To counter this: Black should move his Knight to d7.
That way if White takes the Knight on f6, Black can place his other Knight back on f6 and still keep d5 protected.
Play Qa5 and Ne4 to put pressure onto White’s Queen’s Knight
Together with the c7-c5 breakthrough, Black wants to put as much pressure as possible on White’s queen’s knight.
This can happen with the joint forces of the Knight, which goes to e4, and the Queen, which stands well on a5.
Every move explained
Tarrasch Defense
How To Reach It
The Tarrasch Defense of the Queen's Gambit Declined appears on the board after the following moves:
- d4 d5
- c4 e6
- Kc3 c5
You can see the moves here.
Why play the Tarrasch Defense?
Playing this defense is like using a double edged sword. It will either really hurt you or your opponent.
Black wants to neutralize White’s central space advantage and free the bad light squared bishop on c8.
The main downside of the Tarrasch Defense is the isolated queen’s pawn, which appears in many variations.
White's Moves
Take the d5 pawn and play g3
This is the most popular move from White.
He wants to weaken Black’s central pawn formation, fianchetto the bishop and put additional pressure onto d5.
Play b3
If Black plays c4-c5, White should move his b-pawn in order to ruin Black’s pawn formation and create an isolated pawn.
Black's moves
h6
By playing h6, Black wants to increase his control over the g5 square and prevent White from pinning the Knight to the Queen.
Castle Kingside to protect the King
Black should castle kingside to protect his King.
Charousek Variation
How To Reach It
The Charousek Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined appears on the board after the following moves:
- d4 d5
- c4 e6
- Nc3 Be7
You can see the moves here:
Why play the Charousek Variation?
By playing this variation, Black wants to castle kingside as soon as possible and prevent the annoying Bg5 pin, making it less effective in advance.
White's Moves
Play Bf4 and e3
These are the most popular moves for White.
He simply develops the bishop to the most active square before playing e3 (to create a connected pawn wall).
Push g4 and h4 pawns
With these moves, White wants to chase the bishop away and gain more space on the kingside.
Black's moves
Play e6 and Bf5
By playing these moves, Black wants to solidify his position and put the Bishop to the most active square.
Castle Kingside to protect the King
Normally in the Charousek Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, Black castles kingside to protect his King.
Play b7 and fianchetto the Bishop
Black fianchettoes the Bishop to protect his d5 pawn and occupy the long diagonal.
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