Openings Guide / 1.d4 — Closed and Semi-Closed Games
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7
The Queen's Gambit Declined is Black's most solid and popular response to the Queen's Gambit. By playing 2...e6, Black builds a rock-solid pawn structure. It has been used by virtually every World Champion as the backbone of their Black repertoire.
The QGD leads to strategic battles — White controls more space but Black has a very resilient position. The Orthodox Defense (4...Be7), the Cambridge Springs (4...Nd7 5.e3 c6 6.Nf3 Qa5), and the Lasker Defense (with ...Ne4) are the major sub-systems.
| Variation | Moves |
|---|---|
| Orthodox Defense | 5.e3 0-0 6.Nf3 Nbd7 7.Rc1 |
| Lasker Defense | 5.e3 0-0 6.Nf3 Ne4 7.Bxe7 |
| Cambridge Springs | 4...Nd7 5.e3 c6 6.Nf3 Qa5 |
| Tartakower-Makogonov-Bondarevsky | ...b6 and ...Bb7 |