Queen's Gambit Declined: Lasker Defense, Teichmann Variation (D56)

The Lasker Defense, Teichmann Variation is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, catalogued as ECO D56. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Qc2, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after nine moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.

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: Lasker Defense, Teichmann Variation — position after Qc2 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Qc2

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4e6
3Nf3d5
4Nc3Be7
5Bg5h6
6Bh4O-O
7e3Ne4
8Bxe7Qxe7
9Qc2

ECO: D56

Stockfish: +0.23 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Queen's Gambit Declined lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Lasker Defense, Teichmann Variation?

The Lasker Defense, Teichmann Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Qc2. It is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined and is catalogued as ECO D56.

What is the ECO code for the Lasker Defense, Teichmann Variation?

The Lasker Defense, Teichmann Variation is ECO D56. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Gambit Declined.

Is the Lasker Defense, Teichmann 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. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Qc2 at +0.23 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 Lasker Defense, Teichmann Variation lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.