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Queen's Gambit Declined

Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Endgame Variation

D41solidpositional

  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.c4e6
  3. 3.Nf3d5
  4. 4.Nc3c5
  5. 5.cxd5cxd4
  6. 6.Qxd4exd5
  7. 7.e4dxe4
  8. 8.Qxd8+

No game statistics for this position yet.

A Semi-Tarrasch line where an early queen trade on d8 leads to a drawish endgame, likened to the Berlin and chosen by top players seeking a draw.

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About the Endgame Variation

The Endgame Variation arises when Black answers 5. cxd5 with 5...cxd4 rather than the usual 5...Nxd5. After 6. Qxd4 exd5 7. e4 dxe4 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 the queens leave the board early, Black's king loses the right to castle, and play becomes a queenless middlegame with open c- and d-files. Its drawish reputation invites comparison with the Berlin endgame. Elite players including Wesley So, Anish Giri and Magnus Carlsen have chosen it when content with a draw.

Popular continuations

No continuations known for this position yet.