The Uhlmann Variation is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, catalogued as ECO D53. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. Rc1 dxc4, reaching the position shown below after 14 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 seven moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted; 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.
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The Uhlmann Variation goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. Rc1 dxc4. It is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined and is catalogued as ECO D53.
The Uhlmann Variation 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. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. Rc1 dxc4 at +0.26 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 castled while White’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file.