Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense, Janowski Variation (D67)

The Orthodox Defense, Janowski Variation is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, catalogued as ECO D67. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5 10. h4, reaching the position shown below after 19 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black 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, Janowski Variation — position after h4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5 10. h4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4d5
2Nf3Nf6
3c4e6
4Nc3Be7
5Bg5O-O
6e3Nbd7
7Rc1c6
8Bd3dxc4
9Bxc4Nd5
10h4

ECO: D67

Stockfish: +0.33 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Orthodox Defense, Janowski Variation?

The Orthodox Defense, Janowski Variation goes 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5 10. h4. 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, Janowski Variation?

The Orthodox Defense, Janowski Variation 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, Janowski Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5 10. h4 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, Janowski Variation lead to?

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