Queen's Gambit Declined: Queen's Knight Variation

Main line

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.e4 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Qxd4 7.Bxb4 Qxe4+

Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.

Move by move

The first 12 moves of the main line, explained one at a time. Every move of every variation is annotated like this inside the trainer — this page shows the opening moves so you can judge the explanations before signing up.

1. 1.d4 White advances the pawn to d4, staking a claim in the center and giving the bishop and queen room to develop.
2. 1...d5 Black answers in the center with d5, matching White's pawn and fighting for control of the middle of the board.
3. 2.c4 White plays c4, the Queen's Gambit! This pawn attacks Black's d5 pawn and asks Black to make a decision right away.
4. 2...e6 Black supports the d5 pawn by moving the e-pawn to e6. The center is held firm, and the dark-squared bishop gets ready to develop.
5. 3.Nc3 The knight hops to c3, a great central square. It supports the c4 pawn and puts pressure on Black's center.
6. 3...c6 Black plays c6, the Queens Knight Variation! This pawn reinforces d5 and prepares to bring the knight to d7 or c6.
7. 4.e4 White strikes in the center with e4, challenging Black's pawn chain. White now has two pawns fighting for the center.
8. 4...dxe4 Black captures the pawn on e4 with dxe4. The pawn takes the e4 pawn, grabbing material and opening the d-file.
9. 5.Nxe4 White recaptures with the knight Nxe4, taking back the pawn on e4. The knight jumps to a strong central square and is very active.
10. 5...Bb4+ Black develops the bishop to b4, pinning the knight on e4 — and the bishop delivers check to the white king!
11. 6.Bd2 White blocks the check by moving the bishop to d2. This develops a piece and prepares to trade off the pinning bishop.
12. 6...Qxd4 Black's queen swoops to d4, capturing the pawn. The queen is very active in the center, picking up material.

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Win rates by rating

Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.

Most played continuations (2200-2400 rating)

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.e4 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Qxd4:

• Bxb4 — played 100% of the time (White wins 54.7%, draws 5.1%, Black wins 40.2%)

Related openings

• Queen's Gambit
• Queen's Gambit Declined
• Queen's Gambit Accepted
• Slav Defense
• Semi-Slav Defense
• Tarrasch Defense
• Queen's Gambit: Chigorin Defense
• Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation
• Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense
• Semi-Slav Defense Accepted
• Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense
• Queen's Gambit Accepted, Deferred

Frequently asked questions

What is the Marshall Gambit in the Semi-Slav?

After 3...c6 4.e4, White sacrifices the d-pawn to blow the centre open while Black's king is still in the middle. Black usually grabs it with ...dxe4 and ...Qxd4, then must survive a series of accurate defensive moves. Objectively it is around equal, but it is one of the hardest things in the opening to face unprepared.

Which openings branch off from this position?

Almost all the great 1.d4 lines: 3...Nf6 leads to the classical QGD, the Ragozin and the Semi-Slav; 3...c6 to the Semi-Slav and this Marshall Gambit; 3...Be7 and 3...c5 to the Tarrasch. The move 3.Nc3 is a genuine crossroads, which is why understanding the D31 code matters more than memorising it.

Should Black avoid the Marshall Gambit?

Many do, by choosing a Slav move order with 2...c6 or by playing 3...Nf6 first. That is a perfectly reasonable practical decision — the Marshall requires real homework for a position you might face rarely. If you do play into it, learn the main defensive line properly rather than trusting general principles.