Queen's Gambit Declined: Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation (D55)

The Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, catalogued as ECO D55. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1 c6 9. Bd3 Nd7 10. O-O dxc4 11. Bxc4, reaching the position shown below after 21 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move after 11 moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; Black has the bishop pair.

On the Queen's Gambit Declined generally: A solid and respected response to the Queen's Gambit. Black maintains a strong central presence.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Queen's Gambit Declined: Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation — position after Bxc4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1 c6 9. Bd3 Nd7 10. O-O dxc4 11. Bxc4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4e6
3Nf3d5
4Nc3Be7
5Bg5h6
6Bxf6Bxf6
7e3O-O
8Rc1c6
9Bd3Nd7
10O-Odxc4
11Bxc4

ECO: D55

Stockfish: +0.17 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Queen's Gambit Declined lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation?

The Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1 c6 9. Bd3 Nd7 10. O-O dxc4 11. Bxc4. It is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined and is catalogued as ECO D55.

What is the ECO code for the Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation?

The Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation is ECO D55. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Gambit Declined.

Is the Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1 c6 9. Bd3 Nd7 10. O-O dxc4 11. Bxc4 at +0.17 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Anti-Tartakower Variation, Petrosian Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; Black has the bishop pair.