The Main Line is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, catalogued as ECO D53. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bg5 Be7, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after five moves. Black has doubled pawns on the c-file.
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.
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The Main Line goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bg5 Be7. It is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined and is catalogued as ECO D53.
The Main Line is ECO D53. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Gambit Declined.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bg5 Be7 at +0.35 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. Black has doubled pawns on the c-file.