Theoria
8765432abcdefgh1

Queen's Gambit Declined

Pseudo-Tarrasch Variation, Primitive Pillsbury Variation

D50positionaloffbeat

  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.c4e6
  3. 3.Nc3Nf6
  4. 4.Bg5c5
  5. 5.Nf3cxd4
  6. 6.Qxd4
861 games43%51%

A Queen's Gambit Declined line where White recaptures on d4 with the queen, keeping the pin on f6; engine-balanced, and Black scores well in practice.

Train it in Theoria

About the Primitive Pillsbury Variation

The Primitive Pillsbury Variation arises when White meets 4...c5 with 5. Nf3 and, after 5...cxd4, recaptures with 6. Qxd4. White keeps the pin on f6 and the tension against d5 instead of exchanging with cxd5. The centralized queen invites 6...Nc6, which gains a tempo, while 6...Be7, played about as often, breaks the pin. The engine rates the position as balanced, and Black scores well in practice.

Popular continuations