Ragozin Defense

The Ragozin Defense, also called the Ragozin Variation, arises from the Three Knights line of the Queen's Gambit Declined when Black develops the dark-squared bishop to b4 rather than e7. The bishop pins the c3-knight, adds pressure to e4 and c3, and is often traded for that knight. It gives Black a Nimzo-Indian style of development even after White has used the 3. Nf3 move order to avoid the Nimzo-Indian proper. The fact sheet classifies the position as D38.

5. Bg5 is by far the most frequent reply, increasing the pressure on f6. Black then chooses among 5...h6, 5...Nbd7 and 5...dxc4. After 5...h6, White normally gives up the bishop with 6. Bxf6 Qxf6, because 6. Bh4 runs into 6...dxc4. A typical continuation is 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1 dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. O-O cxd4 11. Ne4 Qe7, where Black holds the bishop pair and White relies on piece activity. After 5. Bg5 Nbd7, the line 6. e3 c5 is the Westphalian Variation.

The Vienna Variation, 5. Bg5 dxc4, is the most combative branch. White replies 6. e4, building a broad center, and Black counters with 6...c5. After 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 the center is open and both sides have active pieces. White's e-pawn and lead in space are set against Black's pressure on c3 and the pin on f6.

White can also exchange first. After 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 O-O 8. e3 Bf5, the early capture rules out the Vienna. It also fixes a symmetrical-file structure in which the c8-bishop, the perennial problem piece of the Queen's Gambit Declined, finds an active post on f5. The Alekhine Variation, 5. Qa4+, makes Black block the c-pawn with 5...Nc6. Play usually goes 6. e3 O-O and then 7. Qc2 or 7. Bd2. The quieter 5. e3 and 5. Bd2 are also played regularly.

The engine rates the position as close to balanced and prefers 5. cxd5, 5. Qa4+ and 5. Bg5. In online practice White scores somewhat better than Black. Black can aim for the same setup with the Accelerated Ragozin, 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4. That order allows 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 Nf6 6. e3, which reaches the structure of Botvinnik–Capablanca, AVRO 1938, a structure generally thought to favor White slightly.