Queen's Gambit Declined: Tartakower: main line, ideas and how to practise it

Against 1.d4 as Black. 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 h6 7. Bh4 b6

You play Black. 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... e6: Declining the gambit: d5 stays supported.
• 6... h6: Ask the bishop a question before committing.
• 7... b6: The Tartakower: the light-squared bishop will come to b7.

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
• Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox
  1.d4 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