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.
Opening Name: Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD): 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Nbd7
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7
Description: This line in the Queen's Gambit Declined features an early development by Black with ...Nbd7, supporting the knight on f6 and reinforcing control over the central squares, particularly e5. White’s bishop move to g5 pins the knight on f6, aiming to exert pressure on Black's kingside and potentially double Black’s pawns if the pin is resolved unfavorably for Black.
Characteristic of the move ...Nbd7: This move is a flexible and solid development that prepares to support central tension and often restricts White's plans to expand in the center. It keeps options open for Black, such as ...c6 or ...e5 breaks, and helps maintain a resilient defensive setup.
Attacking or Defensive? For White, this position is generally more attacking, as White seeks to challenge Black’s central control and exploit the pin on the knight. Black's ...Nbd7 is more defensive and positional, aiming to consolidate and counterattack later rather than immediate aggression.
Center Control: Yes, this opening fights directly over the center. Both sides contest the d4 and d5 squares, with White aiming to maintain or increase central space and Black aiming to hold and counterattack the center.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the QGD: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Nbd7, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 4 - Move #7 black
You can also discover how top players used QGD: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Nbd7 to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.