Theoria
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Queen's Gambit Declined

Semi-Tarrasch Defense, with e3

D40solidpositional

  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.c4c5
  3. 3.Nf3Nf6
  4. 4.Nc3e6
  5. 5.e3Nc6
  6. 6.Bd3
2,145 games48%48%

Quiet Semi-Tarrasch line in which White develops with 5. e3 and 6. Bd3, keeping the central tension; the position is roughly balanced.

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About the with e3

With 5. e3 White postpones cxd5 and develops quietly, leaving Black to decide how to resolve the central tension. After 6. Bd3 the most frequent reply is 6...cxd4. The alternative 6...dxc4 forces the bishop to spend a second move recapturing, and it gives Black the best results. Black can also maintain the symmetry with 6...Be7 or 6...Bd6. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced.

Popular continuations