Drag a piece to play a move, or pick one from the list. Arrow keys step through the line.

    Chess Openings

    Queen's Gambit Declined: Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation

    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.e3 O-O 8.Rc1 c6 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.O-O dxc4 11.Bxc4 · ECO D55

    Queen's Gambit Declined: Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation position after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.e3 O-O 8.Rc1 c6 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.O-O dxc4 11.Bxc4. White: bishop on c4, pawn on d4, knight on c3, pawn on e3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on c1, queen on d1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, rook on f8, king on g8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, knight on d7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on c6, pawn on e6, bishop on f6, pawn on h6.

    Queen's Gambit Declined: Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.e3 O-O 8.Rc1 c6 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.O-O dxc4 11.Bxc4. It is classified D55 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black 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.

    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.

    This line is a variation within the Queen's Gambit Declined family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.e3 O-O 8.Rc1 c6 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.O-O dxc4 11.Bxc4.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation?
    The Queen's Gambit Declined: Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.e3 O-O 8.Rc1 c6 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.O-O dxc4 11.Bxc4. It is classified D55 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: Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation?
    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.e3 O-O 8.Rc1 c6 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.O-O dxc4 11.Bxc4. After these moves it is black to move.
    Is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation 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.