ECO code: D56
Opening Name: Queen's Gambit Declined: Lasker Defence, Teichmann Variation, 9...Nxc3
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bh4 Ne4 8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Qc2 Nxc3
Description: In this line of the Lasker Defence, Black exchanges the knight on e4 for White’s knight on c3 with 9...Nxc3. This captures a key central piece and aims to slightly damage White’s pawn structure by forcing bxc3. The move is characteristic of Black’s strategic approach to simplify the position and neutralize White’s pressure on the center and kingside.
Characteristic of the move: The knight capture on c3 is a thematic exchange in the Lasker Defence aimed at reducing White’s central control and simplifying the position. It also opens the b-file for White’s rook but leaves White with doubled c-pawns, which can be both a weakness and a source of central control.
Attacking or Defensive: For Black, this move is more defensive and positional, focusing on solidifying the center and reducing White’s attacking chances. For White, after recapturing, the plan usually involves leveraging the bishop pair and central pawn majority to launch an attack, so White plays in a more attacking style.
Center Control: This opening and move actively engage the center. Both sides contest central squares, but Black’s exchange on c3 is aimed at undermining White’s central presence while maintaining a solid and resilient pawn structure.
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.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the QGD: Lasker Defence, Teichmann, 9...Nxc3, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 1 - Move #25 black