Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation position after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3. White: pawn on c4, pawn on d4, knight on c3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on e6, knight on f6, pawn on d5.
Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3. It is classified D37 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.
This position can also be reached by another move order, including 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.e3 O-O.
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.
Variations continuing from this position
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3. Open any of them to load the position on the board.
What is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation?
The Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3. It is classified D37 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: Three Knights Variation?
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights 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.
What variations come from the Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation?
Named continuations include Queen's Gambit Declined: Barmen Variation, Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense, Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights, Vienna Variation, Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense, Alekhine Variation. There are 31 named variations reachable from this position in total.