QGD: 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 O-O

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Declined is a cornerstone of classical chess, where Black solidifies the center with e6 to withstand White's pressure. In this line, White develops the dark-squared bishop early to pin the f6-knight, while Black focuses on safety and efficient development.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4. This move claims central space, controls e5, and opens pathways for your queen and dark-squared bishop. It is the foundation of many strategic and positional systems.

1... d5Black

Black replies with d5, the most solid response. By mirroring White, Black ensures they won't be easily overrun in the center. Other options like the English Defense with b6 or the sharp Englund Gambit with e5 lead to very different types of games.

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 as a gambit. You are challenging Black's d5-pawn immediately, aiming to trade a flank pawn for a central one or to lure Black into giving up the center.

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 declines the gambit with e6, choosing the most classical and reliable path. This solidifies the d5-stronghold. Black could also try the Slav Defense with c6 or the more aggressive Chigorin Defense with Nc6, but e6 remains the gold standard for solidity.

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 puts direct pressure on d5 and prepares for further central expansion. It is a natural developing move that keeps 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 plays Nf6, continuing the classical development. This is the main line, though Black sometimes experiments with the Ragozin Variation using Bb4 or the Janowski Variation with a6 to create immediate imbalances.

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

Pin the knight by moving your bishop to g5. This creates immediate pressure on Black's defense of d5 and prepares to clear the back rank for castling.

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 plays Be7, the most solid way to handle the pin. By placing the bishop here, Black neutralizes the threat of Bg5. Other moves like Nbd7 or the sharp Bb4 lead to more tactical complications that require precise calculation.

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 d4 and opens the path for your light-squared bishop to enter the game, completing your central pawn chain.

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)

5... O-OBlack

Black castles kingside, completing the first stage of the opening. The king is safe, and the pieces are ready for the middlegame. Black sometimes plays h6 first to ask the bishop its intentions, but castling immediately is a perfectly standard choice.

Other paths here: h6 (QGD: 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 h6) · Nbd7 (QGD: 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 Nbd7)

Where you stand

The game has reached a classic crossroads. White will likely develop the knight to f3 and the bishop to d3, aiming for central control or a minority attack on the queenside. Black should look to challenge the center with c5 or develop the queenside pieces, often aiming for the b6 and Bb7 maneuver to activate the light-squared bishop.

• g1-f3 Develop the knight to its most active square.
• f1-d3 Position the bishop to eye the kingside.
• c7-c5 Strike at the center to gain space.
• b8-d7 Connect knights and support the center.