ECO D30 · for Black
Queen's Gambit Declined
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
17,268,442 games in this band reached the Queen's Gambit Declined position. From there Black won 45% and drew 5%.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bh4 b6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Bxe7
Moves 1 to 2
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6
1. d4
The Queen's Pawn opening is more usually more positional in nature, White intends to develop the pieces while having a share of the center.
1... d5
Controlling the center and opening up the diagonal for the light-Squared bishop
2. c4
Immediately contesting the center. In most cases this is not a genuine gambit, since black can't retain the pawn without large concessions.
2... e6
Declining the Queen's Gambit and aiming for a solid setup, often leading to the Queen's Gambit Declined.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7
3. Nc3
Developing the knight to a central square, aiming to increase control over the center and potentially preparing for a pawn push to e4.
- 3. Nf3: Developing the knight to a natural square, preparing for kingside castling and supporting the center.
3... Nf6
Developing the knight while overprotecting the d5 pawn.
- 3... Bb4: Developing the dark-squared bishop and pinning White's c3 knight.
- 3... c6: Supporting the center and forming a very passive but solid setup.
4. Bg5
Nearly finishing queenside development while pinning the f6 knight.
- 4. Nf3: Developing the knight while supporting the d4 pawn and controlling the e5 square.
- 4. cxd5: Exchanging pawns in order to create a positional imbalance. The pawn structure is now changed.
4... Be7
Developing the bishop and relieving the pin on the knight while preparing to castle kingside.
Moves 5 to 6
5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 h6
5. e3
Supporting the center and allowing the light squared bishop to activate itself.
- 5. Nf3: Developing the knight and supporting the center.
5... O-O
Castling kingside. Black will follow up by putting pressure on the White center and fighting for space.
6. Nf3
Developing the knight and aiming to complete development by developing the light-squared bishop and castling kingside.
6... h6
Moves 7 to 9
7. Bh4 b6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Bxe7
7. Bh4
7... b6
8. cxd5
8... Nxd5
9. Bxe7
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The queen typically captures the bishop on e7
- The pawn on e6 generally recaptures the knight on d5
- The queenside knight usually develops to d7
- The light-squared bishop can develop to e6 or b7
- The kingside rook often develops to c8
- A common pawn move is c5
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Queen's Gambit for White
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black