Tree path 3 levels Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation › Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Normal Line › Queen's Gambit Declined: Neo-Orthodox Variation
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation D37
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Normal Line D55
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Neo-Orthodox Variation D55 you are here
Queen's Gambit Declined: Neo-Orthodox Variation
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined: Neo-Orthodox Variation is a gambit, classified under ECO code D55 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 is reached after 12 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 h6.
It is a variation of Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Normal Line, which itself descends from the root opening Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation.
It continues primarily into one named line, Queen's Gambit Declined: Anti-Tartakower Variation.
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
- D55
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 12
- Direct variations
- 1
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
782,444 games · White 48.7% / Draw 7.0% / Black 44.3%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Bh4 | 606,768 | |
| Bxf6 | 117,482 | |
| Bf4 | 45,878 | |
| h4 | 6,561 | |
| Bd3 | 2,181 | |
| Be2 | 1,104 | |
| cxd5 | 1,102 | |
| Rc1 | 497 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:42:46
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