Queen's Gambit DeclinedD51

Modern Variation, Knight Defense

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7

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Every move explained, never a dead end.

Both sides plans

White's plan

Occupy the center, develop quickly, castle, then pick a wing.

Black's plan

Contest the center before White occupies all of it.

The line, move by move

1. d4d4 occupies the center.
... d5d5 occupies the center.
2. c4c4 strikes at the center.
... e6e6 controls d5.
3. Nc3Nc3 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
... Nf6Nf6 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
4. Bg5Bg5 develops the bishop.
... Nbd7Nbd7 develops the knight and controls e5.

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Other major variations

The complete Queen's Gambit Declined guide See all 198 variations in the branch map

Modern Variation, Knight Defense (D51) · Queen's Gambit Declined · OpeningMate