Harrwitz Attack, Orthodox Defense

The Orthodox Defense is Black's restrained answer to the Harrwitz Attack. In the main line, 6...c5 opens the center at once. Here 6...c6 instead reinforces d5 and keeps the classical QGD pawn chain. Black accepts a somewhat passive light-squared bishop and gets a solid position with few weaknesses. The c6 pawn also prepares ...dxc4 followed by a later queenside expansion or central break. Because the bishop on f4 is not pinning the f6-knight, Black's usual problem of freeing the game takes a slightly different form than in lines with Bg5.

The main question is the familiar QGD fight over tempo. If White develops with Bd3, then ...dxc4 forces the bishop to move a second time. The natural 7. Bd3 is still the most common choice, and it is also the engine's preference. 7. Be2 is a more modest way to develop. 7. cxd5 settles the central structure early, and in practice Black does comparatively well against it. The engine gives White a slight edge, in line with the small but lasting initiative typical of the Queen's Gambit Declined.