QGD: 3.Bf4

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Declined with 3.Bf4 combines the central pressure of the Queen's Gambit with the active bishop placement of the London System. White aims for rapid development and control of the e5-square, while Black seeks to solidify the center and eventually challenge White's spatial advantage.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4. This move claims central space, opens lines for your queen and dark-squared bishop, and establishes a firm foothold in the heart of the board.

1... d5Black

Black replies d5, the most solid response to d4. Other options like Nf6 lead to the Indian Defenses, while more adventurous players might try the Englund Gambit (e5) or the Dutch Defense (f5) to create immediate imbalances.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White · your move

Move your pawn to c4. You are offering a sacrifice to deflect Black's d5-pawn away from the center. This is the Queen's Gambit, designed to give you a dominant central presence.

Other paths here: Qd3 (Amazon Attack) · e4 (Blackmar-Diemer Gambit) · e3 (Queen's Pawn Game) · Bf4 (Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System)

2... e6Black

Black plays e6, entering the Queen's Gambit Declined. Alternatively, Black could accept the pawn with dxc4, or try the Slav Defense with c6. By choosing e6, Black prioritizes a rock-solid structure over immediate piece activity.

Other paths here: c5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Austrian Defense) · Bf5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Baltic Defense) · Nf6 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Marshall Defense) · b5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Zilbermints Gambit)

3. Bf4White · your move

Develop your bishop to f4. This active square puts pressure on the center and prepares to control the e5-hole. It avoids the more common Nc3 lines, aiming for a setup that is both aggressive and flexible.

Other paths here: cxd5 (QGD: 3.cxd5) · e3 (QGD: 3.e3) · g3 (QGD: 3.g3) · Nf3 (QGD: 3.Nf3)

Where you stand

The game enters a rich strategic phase where White will likely develop the knight to c3 and push e3 to solidify the center. Black should look to develop the kingside with Nf6 and Be7, eventually preparing the c5 break to challenge White's central dominance and create counterplay.

• b1-c3 Develop the knight to its most active square.
• g8-f6 Develop the knight and prepare for kingside castling.
• e2-e3 Solidify the d4 pawn and open the light bishop.
• c7-c5 Strike at the center to challenge White's space.