This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Queen's Gambit Declined: Austrian Defense
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c5
This opening arises when Black responds to White's Queen's Gambit with an immediate challenge to the center by pushing the c-pawn to c5. Unlike the traditional Queen's Gambit Declined where Black supports the d5 pawn, here Black directly contests White's central control by striking at the c4 pawn and fighting for space on the queenside.
Characteristic: The Austrian Defense is characterized by Black's early counterattack on White's c4 pawn, aiming to undermine White's pawn center quickly and actively, rather than adopting a purely solid or defensive setup.
Attacking or Defensive: From Black's perspective, this is an attacking move, as Black immediately challenges White's center. White, in response, generally aims to maintain or strengthen central control, often leading to tactical and dynamic play.
Center Control: This opening directly engages the center. Black challenges White's center early on, leading to a struggle for dominance in the central squares.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Queen's Gambit Declined: Austrian Defense, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 47 - Move #5 black
You can also discover how top players used Queen's Gambit Declined: Austrian Defense to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.