Tree path 3 levels Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation › Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense › Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation D37
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense D40
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense D41 you are here
Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense is a gambit, classified under ECO code D41 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 begins with 9 plies and takes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 to reach the canonical position.
It is a variation of Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, which itself descends from the root opening Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation.
It branches into 3 notable variations — Endgame Variation, Exchange Variation, Pillsbury Variation.
Together the deeper variations number 5 across the full subtree.
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
- D41
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 9
- Direct variations
- 3
- Total in subtree
- 5
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
676,422 games · White 49.9% / Draw 7.5% / Black 42.5%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| exd5 | 331,478 | |
| Nxd5 | 248,758 | |
| cxd4 | 93,679 | |
| Nc6 | 1,038 | |
| e5 | 403 | |
| Be7 | 350 | |
| c4 | 203 | |
| Qb6 | 126 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:09:14
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