Queen's Gambit Declined · D63

Orthodox Defense, Capablanca Variation

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 b6 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bb5

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as White's avenue and the e-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. Theory calls this the Zukertort Opening.
• 1... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen. Theory calls this the Zukertort Variation.
• 2... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4. It also props up the d5 pawn. Theory calls this the Symmetrical Variation.

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