Tree path 6 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Queen's Gambit › Queen's Gambit Declined › Queen's Knight Variation › Queen's Gambit Declined: Normal Defense › Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Symmetrical Variation
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Pawn Game D00
- Queen's Gambit D06
- Queen's Gambit Declined D30
- Queen's Knight Variation D31
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Normal Defense D35
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Symmetrical Variation D40 you are here
Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Symmetrical Variation
Overview
Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Symmetrical Variation is a sacrificial opening line filed under ECO D40 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.
The line arises from 14 plies — specifically the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 c5 5. e3 Nc6 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Queen's Gambit Declined: Normal Defense, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.
It continues primarily into one named line, Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Levenfish Variation.
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
- D40
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 14
- Direct variations
- 1
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
16,468 games · White 50.8% / Draw 4.8% / Black 44.4%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| a3 | 3,304 | |
| Re1 | 3,117 | |
| b3 | 2,254 | |
| cxd5 | 2,243 | |
| h3 | 1,288 | |
| dxc5 | 1,169 | |
| Qe2 | 902 | |
| e4 | 525 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:00:04
Write a description
Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links).
Submissions are reviewed before publishing.