D35

Queen's Gambit Declined: Normal Defense

Key moves: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5

The Exchange Variation of the QGD creates a symmetrical pawn structure. White's minority attack on the queenside (b4-b5) versus Black's kingside play is one of the most instructive strategic themes in chess.

History & Notable Players

Has been a major weapon since the early 20th century. The minority attack concept it features is fundamental to chess strategy.

Best Games

Aronian,L vs So,W1/2-1/2
12th Sinquefield Cup • 2025★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Caruana,F0-1
12th Sinquefield Cup • 2025★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs Caruana,F0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Aronian,L1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
13th Norway Chess 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Praggnanandhaa,R0-1
87th Tata Steel Masters • 2025★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Caruana,F0-1
87th Tata Steel Masters • 2025★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Carlsen,M0-1
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2024★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Nepomniachtchi,I1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Le,Quang Liem0-1
57th Biel GM1 Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Le,Quang Liem0-1
57th Biel GM1 Qual 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Le,Quang Liem1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Ding Liren1/2-1/2
WCh 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Rapport,R vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
85th Tata Steel Masters • 2023★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Gukesh,D1-0
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2022★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs So,W0-1
Tata Steel India Rapid • 2022★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Gukesh,D0-1
55th Biel GM 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Le,Quang Liem vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek0-1
55th Biel GM Blitz 2022 • 2022★ Notable

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