Current position
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, and the position after those moves has 1 playable continuation to walk from here.
Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.
Current setup
Move ideas
Takes central space with a protected pawn and frees the queen’s bishop.
Idea: Build a stable center that supports a broad positional setup.
Mirrors White’s central claim and prevents an easy e4 expansion.
Idea: Establish a firm center and develop behind the pawn chain.
Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Advances to e6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.
Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.
Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Develops the knight to f6, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Develops the bishop to g5, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Develops the bishop to e7, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Advances to e3 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.
Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.
Tucks the king away and activates the rook in a single move.
Idea: Finish kingside development so the central pieces can coordinate safely.
Develops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Advances the h-pawn to gain kingside edge space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Repositions the bishop to h4, where it influences a new part of the board.
Idea: Improve the piece’s activity and support the next stage of the plan.
Repositions the knight to e4, where it influences a new part of the board.
Idea: Improve the piece’s activity and support the next stage of the plan.
Captures the bishop on e7 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.
Captures the bishop on e7 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.
Repositions the queen to c2, where it influences a new part of the board.
Idea: Coordinate threats carefully while avoiding unnecessary tempi against the queen.
Repositions the knight to f6, where it influences a new part of the board.
Idea: Improve the piece’s activity and support the next stage of the plan.
Develops the bishop to d3, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Captures the pawn on c4 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Open lines in the queenside and reshape the center for the next phase.
Captures the pawn on c4 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.
Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Tucks the king away and activates the rook in a single move.
Idea: Finish kingside development so the central pieces can coordinate safely.
Develops the knight to c6, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Waiting for Lichess game popularity.
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.
ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Queen's Gambit Declined.