Queen's Gambit Declined · D40

Semi-Tarrasch Defense, after 1. d4, through 7... Bd6

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 c5 5. e3 Nc6 6. a3 cxd4 7. exd4 Bd6

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as Black's avenue and the e-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. ...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... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. c4 Challenges the pawn on d5 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Queen's Gambit: development and initiative over material.
• 2... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5. Theory calls this the Queen's Gambit Declined.

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