Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense, Capablanca Variation
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense, Capablanca Variation is a gambit, classified under ECO code D63 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.
Play reaches this position via 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 b6 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bb5, after 17 plies of opening development.
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
- D63
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 17
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Statistics from Lichess
1,536 games · White 53.6% / Draw 6.1% / Black 40.3%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Bb7 | 1,222 | |
| c5 | 132 | |
| a6 | 124 | |
| h6 | 31 | |
| c6 | 13 | |
| Ne4 | 9 | |
| a5 | 2 | |
| Re8 | 2 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:17:14
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