Queen's Gambit Declined

ECO D30–D69 Black's defense Intermediate

Black declines the c4 pawn that White offers and firmly supports d5 with ...e6. Black keeps a foothold in the center and can develop calmly.

Black

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White

Explanation

#	White	Black
1	d4	d5
2	c4	e6

Keep the d5 pawn in the center. Develop the knight to f6 and the bishop to e7, castle, and later strike back with ...c5 or ...e5.

After ...e6, the bishop on c8 is blocked in. How to use this bishop is Black's main problem. The position is solid, but Black can become passive.