Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense, Bd3 Line (D67)

The Orthodox Defense, Bd3 Line is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, catalogued as ECO D67. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7, reaching the position shown below after 20 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is White to move after ten 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: Orthodox Defense, Bd3 Line — position after Qxe7 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4d5
2c4e6
3Nc3Nf6
4Bg5Be7
5e3O-O
6Nf3Nbd7
7Rc1c6
8Bd3dxc4
9Bxc4Nd5
10Bxe7Qxe7

ECO: D67

Stockfish: +0.33 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Orthodox Defense, Bd3 Line?

The Orthodox Defense, Bd3 Line goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7. It is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined and is catalogued as ECO D67.

What is the ECO code for the Orthodox Defense, Bd3 Line?

The Orthodox Defense, Bd3 Line is ECO D67. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Gambit Declined.

Is the Orthodox Defense, Bd3 Line good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 at +0.33 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.

What kind of position does the Orthodox Defense, Bd3 Line lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.