Tree path 7 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Queen's Gambit › Slav Defense › Modern Line › Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation › Semi-Slav Defense › Queen's Gambit Declined
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Pawn Game D00
- Queen's Gambit D06
- Slav Defense D10
- Modern Line D11
- Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation D15
- Semi-Slav Defense D43
- Queen's Gambit Declined D52 you are here
Queen's Gambit Declined
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined is a sacrificial opening line filed under ECO D52 in the Closed & Semi-Closed Games group. The defining idea is the early concession of material to seize the initiative and unbalance the position.
The Closed & Semi-Closed Games group covers closed and semi-closed games — 1.d4 systems characterised by long strategic manoeuvring rather than early tactics.
It begins with 11 plies and takes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. e3 to reach the canonical position.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Semi-Slav Defense, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.
It continues primarily into one named line, Cambridge Springs Defense.
Together the deeper variations number 5 across the full subtree.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- D52
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 11
- Parent
- Semi-Slav Defense
- Direct variations
- 1
- Total in subtree
- 5
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
1,494,532 games · White 48.6% / Draw 6.0% / Black 45.4%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Qa5 | 609,580 | |
| Be7 | 394,995 | |
| Bb4 | 219,287 | |
| Bd6 | 108,670 | |
| h6 | 76,497 | |
| a6 | 25,661 | |
| dxc4 | 22,568 | |
| Qb6 | 13,828 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:32:59
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Submissions are reviewed before publishing.