Queen's Gambit Declined: Alapin Variation
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined: Alapin Variation is a gambit, classified under ECO code D31 within the Closed & Semi-Closed Games family. As with all gambits, one side sacrifices material early — usually a pawn — in exchange for development, open lines, or initiative.
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 6 plies and takes 1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. Nc3 d5 to reach the canonical position.
Step through the moves on the interactive board below, review the live Lichess statistics, or play this position against Stockfish at one of six difficulty levels.
- ECO code
- D31
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 6
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Statistics from Lichess
136,884 games · White 53.4% / Draw 4.5% / Black 42.1%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Nf3 | 54,831 | |
| cxd5 | 35,131 | |
| Bf4 | 16,894 | |
| e3 | 11,903 | |
| e4 | 7,286 | |
| a3 | 3,957 | |
| g3 | 2,836 | |
| f3 | 1,748 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:30:14
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