Queen's Gambit Declined · D02
Baltic Defense, Pseudo-Slav
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Bf5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 c6
In the centre, White holds d4 while Black holds d5.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the d4 pawn. Theory calls this the Zukertort Variation.
- 2... Bf5 Develops the bishop to f5, eyeing e4.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 200 in the Queen's Gambit Declined. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.