Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense
ECO D60 · Queen's Gambit Declined · solid · intermediate
The Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense (D60) is a solid chess opening in the Queen's Gambit Declined family, played by Black. It arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7. The main line. Classical and solid development. Recommended for intermediate players.
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7
About this opening
The Orthodox Defense is the most classical form of the Queen's Gambit Declined: with ...Be7, ...O-O, ...Nbd7 and ...c6, Black builds a solid, harmonious position, then seeks freedom with ...dxc4 and ...Nd5, the famous Capablanca maneuver. The play is measured and strategic, based on the struggle around the center and the c-file. It is a model of balance between solidity and activity.