Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox: main line, ideas and how to practise it
1.d4 for White. A main line to learn move by move, with the idea behind each key move.
The main line
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5
You play White. In the analyzer's drill the other side's moves are played for you and Stockfish checks each of yours.
Practise it with free drillsAnalyze one of your own games
The ideas behind the moves
- 2. c4: The Queen's Gambit: c4 challenges d5 to win the centre.
- 4. Bg5: Pins the knight that defends d5.
- 7. Rc1: The rook on the c-file supports pressure once the c-file opens.
- 9. Bxc4: White recaptures having kept a lead in development.
- 9... Nd5: Capablanca's freeing idea: Black trades pieces to relieve the cramp.
Legends who played it
- Alexander Alekhine: 279 games in the Queen's Gambit Declined, 68% score
- Magnus Carlsen: 275 games in the Queen's Gambit Declined, 63% score
- Anatoly Karpov: 262 games in the Queen's Gambit Declined, 62% score
- Tigran Petrosian: 197 games in the Queen's Gambit Declined, 62% score
- Mikhail Tal: 168 games in the Queen's Gambit Declined, 56% score
- Garry Kasparov: 156 games in the Queen's Gambit Declined, 71% score
- José Raúl Capablanca: 143 games in the Queen's Gambit Declined, 65% score
- Emanuel Lasker: 122 games in the Queen's Gambit Declined, 65% score
More openings to learn
- Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo
1.e4 e5 for White - Ruy Lopez: Closed
1.e4 e5 for White - Scotch Game
1.e4 e5 for White - London System
1.d4 for White - Sicilian Najdorf: English Attack
Against 1.e4 as Black - Caro-Kann: Classical
Against 1.e4 as Black - French Defence: Advance
Against 1.e4 as Black - Scandinavian Defence
Against 1.e4 as Black - King's Indian: Classical
Against 1.d4 as Black - Queen's Gambit Declined: Tartakower
Against 1.d4 as Black