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Queen's Gambit Declined

Harrwitz Attack, Main Line

D37positionalsolid

  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.c4e6
  3. 3.Nf3d5
  4. 4.Nc3Be7
  5. 5.Bf4O-O
  6. 6.e3c5
  7. 7.dxc5Bxc5
627 games53%39%

Main line of the Harrwitz Attack in the Queen's Gambit Declined, where Black answers Bf4 with ...c5 and recaptures on c5, gaining active piece play.

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About the Main Line

After 6...c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5, Black has regained the pawn and developed the dark-squared bishop actively, keeping open the option of ...dxc4 and an isolated d-pawn. White's three main tries are roughly equally popular. 8. cxd5 clarifies the central tension. 8. Qc2 develops while keeping options open. 8. a3 prepares b4 to gain queenside space. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, though White scores well in practice, with 8. Qc2 yielding the best results and 8. a3 the worst.

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