Tree path 5 levels Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation › Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense › Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense › Pillsbury Variation › Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Main Line
- 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
- Pillsbury Variation D41
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Main Line D42 you are here
Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Main Line
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Main Line is a sacrificial opening line filed under ECO D42 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.
Play reaches this position via 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e3 Nc6 7. Bd3, after 13 plies of opening development.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Pillsbury Variation, 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
- D42
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 13
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
16,958 games · White 52.1% / Draw 6.5% / Black 41.4%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| cxd4 | 9,291 | |
| Be7 | 4,153 | |
| Nxc3 | 1,353 | |
| a6 | 481 | |
| b6 | 258 | |
| Bd6 | 250 | |
| Ndb4 | 209 | |
| Ncb4 | 190 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:51:42
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Submissions are reviewed before publishing.