Tree path 2 levels Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation › Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense
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- Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation D37
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense D38 you are here
Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense is a gambit, classified under ECO code D38 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. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4, after 8 plies of opening development.
It is a direct variation of Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation.
It branches into 3 notable variations — Alekhine Variation, Vienna Variation, Queen's Gambit Declined: Westphalian 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
- D38
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 8
- Direct variations
- 3
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
4,330,450 games · White 53.7% / Draw 5.2% / Black 41.1%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Bg5 | 1,715,508 | |
| e3 | 634,725 | |
| Bd2 | 354,391 | |
| cxd5 | 325,994 | |
| a3 | 295,760 | |
| Qc2 | 266,351 | |
| Qa4+ | 243,737 | |
| Bf4 | 169,876 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:56:06
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