Queen's Gambit Declined: Capablanca Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
117,061 games: White 51.7% / Draw 5.6% / Black 42.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 81,47581K | ||
| 29,44729K | ||
| 4,3734,373 | ||
| 525525 | ||
| 522522 | ||
| 452452 | ||
| 8080 | ||
| 5151 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.17 The position is about equal
Best play: 5. Bxf6 Qxf6 6. Nc3 c6 7. e3 Nd7 8. Be2 Bb4 9. O-O O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined: Capablanca Variation (ECO D30, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a declined gambit in the Queen's Gambit Declined: Traditional Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Bg5 h6 (4 moves).
In 117,061 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.7%, Black 42.7% and 5.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Bh4, in 70% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Queen's Gambit Declined: Capablanca Variation
5. Bxf6 scores best for White: 55.1%, with White winning 51.9% and Black 41.7% of 29K games. The most played answer, 5. Bh4, scores lowest: 54.8% in 81K games. Stockfish's first choice is also 5. Bxf6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Queen's Gambit Declined: Capablanca Variation (D30)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/queens-gambit-declined-capablanca-variation