Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...e6/3. Nc3/3...Nf6/4. Bg5/4...Nbd7

< Chess Opening Theory‎ | 1. d4‎ | 1...d5‎ | 2. c4‎ | 2...e6‎ | 3. Nc3‎ | 3...Nf6‎ | 4. Bg5
Queen's Gambit Declined
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7
ECO code: D51
Parent: Queen's Gambit Declined

Queen's Gambit Declined edit

4...Nbd7 edit

With 4...Nbd7, black intends to play the Cambridge Springs Defense, which continues 5. Nf3 c6 6. e3 Qa5. The Cambridge Springs Defense is a solid line of the QGD and is often played both in the amateur level (because of the easier to understand theme) and the grandmaster level. This move also sets a trap that has ensnared quite a few players. White can continue 5. cxd5 exd5, resulting in a position that resembles the QGD Exchange variation (which is fine for both camps), as long as he/she doesn't play 6. Nxd5??. While it superficially appears to win a pawn (because the black knight is pinned), black can capture with his knight with 6... Nxd5!. Then after 7. Bxd8, white has not won black's queen because of 7... Bb4+!, where the only legal move is 8. Qd2, and black gets his/her queen back and emerges a minor piece ahead.

Theory table edit

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7

5 6 7 8
Cambridge Springs Defense Nf3
c6
e3
Qa5
cxd5
Nxd5
Qd2
Bb4
=
cxd5
exd5
e3
c6
Qc2
h6
Bh4
Be7
=
Elephant Trap ...
...
Nxd5??
Nxd5!
Bxd8
Bb4+
Qd2
Bxd2+
-+

When contributing to this Wikibook, please follow the Conventions for organization.

References edit