Rubinstein Opening: Queen's Gambit Declined Setup (D05)

The Queen's Gambit Declined Setup is a variation of the Rubinstein Opening, catalogued as ECO D05. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O, reaching the position shown below after 14 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 White to move after seven moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.

On the Rubinstein Opening generally: ECO D05. A chess opening with 6 known variations.

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Rubinstein Opening: Queen's Gambit Declined Setup — position after O-O h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4d5
2Nf3Nf6
3e3e6
4Bd3c5
5c3Nc6
6Nbd2Bd6
7O-OO-O

ECO: D05

Stockfish: +0.18 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Rubinstein Opening lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Declined Setup?

The Queen's Gambit Declined Setup goes 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O. It is a variation of the Rubinstein Opening and is catalogued as ECO D05.

What is the ECO code for the Queen's Gambit Declined Setup?

The Queen's Gambit Declined Setup is ECO D05. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Rubinstein Opening.

Is the Queen's Gambit Declined Setup good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O at +0.18 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 Queen's Gambit Declined Setup 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 White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.