Queen's Gambit Declined
ECO D30-D69intermediate
The Queen's Gambit Declined, 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6, is the defense every world champion has trusted: Black protects d5 with the e-pawn, accepts a temporarily passive light-squared bishop, and relies on flawless structure plus the freeing breaks ...c5 and ...e5. The Exchange Variation gives White the famous minority attack (b4-b5 against the c6 base); the mainline Orthodox and Tartakower systems are masterclasses in patient equalization followed by counterplay.
Main line
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 O-O 7.Bd3 c6
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.
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.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 49 | 40.8% | 10.2% | 49% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 |
| 600-800 | 81 | 49.4% | 1.2% | 49.4% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 |
| 800-1000 | 75 | 50.7% | 0% | 49.3% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 |
| 1000-1200 | 28 | 71.4% | 3.6% | 25% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 h6 6.Bh4 O-O |
| 1200-1400 | 96 | 49% | 3.1% | 47.9% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 h6 6.Bh4 O-O |
Most played continuations (1200-1400 rating)
After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 h6 6.Bh4 O-O:
- Nf3 — played 57.3% of the time (White wins 50.9%, draws 3.6%, Black wins 45.5%)
- Bd3 — played 16.7% of the time (White wins 43.8%, draws 0%, Black wins 56.2%)
- cxd5 — played 13.5% of the time (White wins 61.5%, draws 0%, Black wins 38.5%)
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
What is the minority attack and why does it matter in the QGD?
In the Exchange QGD's carlsbad structure, White advances the a- and b-pawns (two pawns) against Black's a7/b7/c6 (three pawns), aiming for bxc6 leaving Black a permanently weak backward c-pawn. Whole QGD middlegames revolve around executing or preventing this single plan.
How does Black free the c8 bishop in the QGD?
Three classic methods: the Tartakower's ...b6 and ...Bb7, trading pieces with ...Ne4 and ...dxc4 then developing via ...b6, or the Lasker's simplifying ...Ne4 trades. Solving this one piece is the QGD's central project — get it active and Black stands fully equal.
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