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1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 · ECO D37
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.
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.
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.
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.