Vienna Variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined
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The Queen’s Gambit Declined is the most popular way to fight the attempt by white to give up (gambit) his c4 pawn. It has been played by top masters since the 19th century, and it will never lose popularity due to its solidity, flexibility, and the amount of different options it gives to black. In this video I have covered the Vienna Variation, the Benoni of QGD variations!
It’s almost unsound for black if white knows what he’s doing, but there are ways for black to hold on to his position regardless of what white plays, so it’s still playable and played on all levels.
The idea behind the Vienna is the early exchange with dxc4, leaving the center over to white for an expansion. White is, therefore, able to play the immediate e4, which is the main line, taking up central space and having a very good position.
Instead of that, white can play quietly too, simply advancing his e pawn to e3, recapturing on c4, and having a slight advantage.
The third option white has is Qa4+, recapturing the c4 pawn right away. That transposes to a rare line of the Semi-Slav in which white plays Qd3 instead of the usual e3 or Bg5.
All in all, the Vienna is similar to the Semi-Slav sharp lines more so than to any QGD variation. It’s sharp, unsound almost, and every move counts. Black accepts a “ruined” structure for complications and dynamic play. Not for those who are scared of tactics!
#chess