Orthodox Defense, Classical Variation
- 1.d4d5
- 2.c4e6
- 3.Nc3Nf6
- 4.Bg5Be7
- 5.e3O-O
- 6.Nf3Nbd7
- 7.Rc1c6
- 8.Bd3dxc4
- 9.Bxc4Nd5
- 10.Bxe7Qxe7
- 11.O-ONxc3
- 12.Rxc3e5
68 games
Queen's Gambit Declined line built on Capablanca's freeing maneuver, where Black trades minor pieces and strikes with ...e5 to ease a cramped position.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Classical Variation
The Classical Variation is the position reached through Capablanca's freeing maneuver in the Orthodox Defense, 9...Nd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. O-O Nxc3 12. Rxc3 e5. Black trades two pairs of minor pieces and then challenges d4 to relieve the cramp. The most common reply, 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. f4 Qe7, continues the simplification. The alternative 13. d5 keeps more tension and has scored well for White. The engine gives White a slight edge.
Popular continuations
- 13. dxe5 Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense, Classical Variation 34% 23
- 13. d5 Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense, Classical Variation 22% 15
- 13. Qc2 Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense, Classical Variation 12% 8
- 13. Qb1 Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense, Classical Variation