Theoria
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Queen's Gambit Declined

Orthodox Defense, Rauzer Variation

D60positionaloffbeat

  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.Nf3Nf6
  3. 3.c4e6
  4. 4.Nc3Be7
  5. 5.Bg5O-O
  6. 6.e3Nbd7
  7. 7.Qb3

No game statistics for this position yet.

A sideline of the Orthodox Queen's Gambit Declined in which White plays 7. Qb3, putting the queen on b3 to watch b7 and support the c4-pawn.

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About the Rauzer Variation

The Rauzer Variation is a less common branch of the Orthodox Defense, classified under ECO D60. After 6...Nbd7, White plays 7. Qb3 instead of the main options 7. Rc1, 7. Bd3 and 7. Qc2. From b3 the queen looks down the b-file at b7, which can hinder Black's queenside development, and it also protects the c4-pawn. Material stays level, and the pawn structure is the usual Queen's Gambit Declined center.

Popular continuations

No continuations known for this position yet.