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: Modern Variation arises after the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5. This line is a flexible and classical approach for White, developing the bishop early to pin Black's knight on f6.
Characteristic: The move 4. Bg5 is a key characteristic of this variation, aiming to exert pressure on Black's knight, which is a defender of the d5 pawn. This pin can limit Black's options and sometimes provoke weaknesses or exchanges that favor White's control of the center.
Attacking or Defensive: For White, this move is primarily attacking, as it seeks to challenge Black's setup and prepare for potential central breakthroughs or pressure on Black's kingside. For Black, the position remains somewhat defensive but solid, focusing on maintaining a strong pawn structure and countering White's attempts to dominate the center.
Center Control: This opening does attack the center. White's early moves (d4 and c4) contest the central squares, and the bishop pin on f6 supports White's plan to undermine Black's central presence, especially targeting the d5 pawn.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 82 - Move #6 white
You can also discover how top players used Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.