Tree path 3 levels Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation › Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense › Alekhine Variation
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation D37
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense D38
- Alekhine Variation D38 you are here
Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense, Alekhine Variation
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense, Alekhine Variation is a sacrificial opening line filed under ECO D38 in the Closed & Semi-Closed Games group. The defining idea is the early concession of material to seize the initiative and unbalance the position.
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 9 plies and takes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qa4+ to reach the canonical position.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense, part of the broader Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation system.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- D38
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 9
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
243,216 games · White 54.1% / Draw 5.4% / Black 40.5%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Nc6 | 240,466 | |
| Bd7 | 1,430 | |
| c6 | 887 | |
| Qd7 | 184 | |
| Nbd7 | 125 | |
| b5 | 90 | |
| Kf8 | 21 | |
| Nfd7 | 12 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:09:08
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Submissions are reviewed before publishing.