Queen's Gambit Declined position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6. White: pawn on c4, pawn on d4, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, knight on b1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, knight on g1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, knight on g8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on e6, pawn on d5.
Queen's Gambit Declined is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6. It is classified D30 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Queen's Gambit Declined meets 1.d4 d5 2.c4 by supporting the d5 pawn with e6 rather than capturing. It is one of the most respected defences in chess, chosen in world championship matches for over a century because it gives Black a rock-solid centre that is very hard to break down.
This position can also be reached by 8 other move orders, including 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7.
Strategic character
Black shuts in the light-squared bishop with e6 in exchange for a stable centre. The recurring strategic themes are freeing the position with c5 or e5, and the minority attack, where White advances the queenside pawns to create a weakness in Black's structure.
Who should play it
Players who want a dependable answer to 1.d4 and are comfortable in classical positions where small structural advantages decide the game.
Variations continuing from this position
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6. Open any of them to load the position on the board.
The Queen's Gambit Declined is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6. It is classified D30 in the ECO system. The Queen's Gambit Declined meets 1.d4 d5 2.c4 by supporting the d5 pawn with e6 rather than capturing. It is one of the most respected defences in chess, chosen in world championship matches for over a century because it gives Black a rock-solid centre that is very hard to break down.
What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Declined?
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Queen's Gambit Declined good for beginners?
Players who want a dependable answer to 1.d4 and are comfortable in classical positions where small structural advantages decide the game.
What variations come from the Queen's Gambit Declined?
Named continuations include Queen's Gambit Declined: Queen's Knight Variation, Queen's Gambit Declined: Charousek Variation, Queen's Gambit Declined: Janowski Variation, Queen's Gambit Declined: Normal Defense, Queen's Gambit Declined: Tarrasch Defense, Pseudo-Tarrasch. There are 40 named variations reachable from this position in total.