Closed games

Queen's Gambit Declined

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6

The Queen's Gambit Declined starts with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 and is catalogued under ECO D30, in the closed games half of the book. The catalog indexes 198 lines inside it, grouped into 138 named variations.

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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.d4

    Takes central space with a protected pawn and frees the queen’s bishop.

    Idea: Build a stable center that supports a broad positional setup.

  2. 1…d5

    Mirrors White’s central claim and prevents an easy e4 expansion.

    Idea: Establish a firm center and develop behind the pawn chain.

  3. 2.c4

    Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

  4. 2…c5

    Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

  5. 3.dxc5

    Captures the pawn on c5 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Open lines in the queenside and reshape the center for the next phase.

  6. 3…d4

    Advances to d4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

0 moves
This is the end of the indexed line.

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under Queen's Gambit Declined. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

114 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.

Openings from the same volume

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Queen's Gambit Declined.