QGD: 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Declined is a pillar of classical chess. White offers a pawn to gain central influence, while Black solidifies the center with e6. You will explore the main line where White pins the knight on f6, and Black patiently develops the kingside to prepare for castling and a later central break.

1. d4White · your move

Push your queen's pawn to d4. This move claims central space and opens lines for your queen and dark-squared bishop. By occupying the center early, you dictate the pace and force your opponent to respond to your structural setup.

1... d5Black

Black responds with d5, mirroring White's move and creating a symmetrical central presence. While Black could try sharper options like the Englund Gambit (e5) or the English Defense (b6), this classical reply remains the most respected way to challenge White's control of the center from the very first move.

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

2. c4White · your move

Offer the c4 pawn to challenge the center. This is the Queen's Gambit. You aren't just giving away a pawn; you are trying to lure Black's d5-pawn away from the center so you can eventually dominate the middle of the board with your own pawns.

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 chooses e6, the most traditional way to decline the gambit. This defines the Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD). Other popular defenses include the Chigorin (Nc6), which leads to piece-heavy play, or the Baltic Defense (Bf5), which tries to solve the problem of the light-squared bishop immediately.

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. Nc3White · your move

Develop your knight to c3. This piece adds more pressure to the d5-square and prepares to support a future e4 push. It is a natural developing move that puts immediate questions to Black's central structure while keeping your options open.

Other paths here: Bf4 (QGD: 3.Bf4) · cxd5 (QGD: 3.cxd5) · e3 (QGD: 3.e3) · g3 (QGD: 3.g3)

3... Nf6Black

Black develops Nf6, reinforcing the center. This is the main line of the QGD. Black could also try the Nimzo-Indian style with Bb4 or the Janowski Variation with a6, but Nf6 remains the most classical and reliable path to equality in this position.

Other paths here: Bb4 (QGD: 3.Nc3 Bb4) · Nc6 (QGD: 3.Nc3 Nc6) · Be7 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Charousek Variation) · a6 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Janowski Variation)

4. Bg5White · your move

Develop your bishop to g5 and pin the knight to the queen. This creates immediate pressure on Black's defense of d5. If Black isn't careful, you might trade on f6 and weaken their kingside or win the central pawn.

Other paths here: e3 (QGD: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3) · g3 (QGD: Catalan without Nf3) · Bf4 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Harrwitz Attack) · Nf3 (QGD: 4.Nf3)

4... Be7Black

Black replies with Be7, the most solid way to handle the pin. Other options include the sharper Tartakower or Lasker variations, or even the Modern Variation with Nbd7. By choosing Be7, Black prioritizes safety and king-side development over immediate counter-attacks.

Other paths here: Bb4 (QGD: 4.Bg5 Bb4) · c6 (QGD: 4.Bg5 c6) · dxc4 (QGD: 4.Bg5 dxc4) · c5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Been-Koomen Variation)

5. e3White · your move

Solidify your center with e3. This move defends your d4-pawn and opens the diagonal for your light-squared bishop. You are completing your central pawn structure and preparing to finish your development before launching an attack.

Other paths here: Nf3 (QGD: 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nf3) · Bxf6 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Heral Variation) · cxd5 (QGD: 4.Bg5 Be7 5.cxd5 Nxd5)

Where you stand

The position is balanced but full of strategic depth. White will look to finish development with Nf3 and Bd3, aiming for central expansion or a minority attack on the queenside. Black should castle quickly and look for the c5 or e5 pawn breaks to challenge White's center and liberate the light-squared bishop on c8.

• g1-f3 Develop the knight to its most active square.
• e8-g8 Castle kingside to ensure king safety.
• f1-d3 Place the bishop on an active diagonal.
• c7-c5 Strike at the center to gain space.
• c8-b7 Fianchetto the bishop to solve development problems.