Theoria
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Queen's Gambit Declined

Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Symmetrical Variation

D40solidpositionaloffbeat

  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.c4e6
  3. 3.Nc3Nf6
  4. 4.Nf3c5
  5. 5.e3Nc6
  6. 6.Bd3Bd6
  7. 7.O-OO-O
207 games50%48%

A quiet Semi-Tarrasch line in which Black mirrors White's development, leaving a symmetrical pawn structure with central tension unresolved.

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About the Symmetrical Variation

The Symmetrical Variation comes from the quiet 5. e3 branch of the Semi-Tarrasch. Black copies White's setup move for move, with knights on c6 and f6, a bishop on d6 and kingside castling. No exchanges have been made in the center, so the pawns stand in mirror image. The engine gives White a slight edge and prefers the clarifying 8. dxc5 or 8. cxd5. In practice 8. Re1 is most common, ahead of 8. a3 and 8. b3. The line is seldom played.

Popular continuations