Queen's Gambit DeclinedD63

Orthodox Defense, Main Line

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6

Open on the interactive board

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.
... Nf6Nf6 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
2. c4c4 controls d5.
... e6e6 controls d5.
3. Nf3Nf3 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
... d5d5 strikes at the center.
4. Nc3Nc3 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
... Be7Be7 develops the bishop.
5. Bg5Bg5 develops the bishop.
... O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.
6. e3e3 controls d4.
... Nbd7Nbd7 develops the knight and controls e5.
7. Rc1Rc1 repositions the rook.
... c6c6 controls d5.

Open on the interactive board

Other major variations

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

Orthodox Defense, Main Line (D63) · Queen's Gambit Declined · OpeningMate