Queen's Gambit Declined · D31

Alapin Variation

1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. Nc3 d5

...e6 holds d5 at the cost of the c8-bishop's freedom: Black plays the most solid structure in chess and times ...c5 or ...dxc4 to free the game.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5. Theory calls this the Horwitz Defense.
• 2. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.
• 2... b6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via b7. Theory calls this the English Defense.

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