Top-Level Repertoire against Queen’s Gambit Declined – Part 1 January 3, 2024 + PGN

In this part, Krishnater examines Queen’s Gambit Declined, Ragozin Variation, and Queen’s Gambit Declined with 4…a6.

Most of Krishnater’s suggestions are based on his work with top-level grandmasters. You will find many interesting novelties as well as fresh and interesting strategic concepts.

The course consists of 15 theoretical chapters, 15 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (3h and 17min).

Preview by IM Kushager Krishnater

Welcome to this course! This is the first part of a two-course series where we will be covering all of Black’s options in the Queen’s Gambit Declined. As usual, my idea is to provide fresh and challenging variations where you have several chances to catch your opponent off-guard. This course deals with the Queen’s Gambit Declined Variation, The Ragozin Variation, and the QGD 4..a6 variation.

The starting position of the current database is being reached after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3

At this point, the move 4…Be7 defines the classical version of the Queen’s Gambit Declined.

My suggestion for White is based on 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bf4

White has the following setup in mind: e3-h3-Bd3-Ne5. This is a trendy and fashionable way of meeting the Queen nowadays. White keeps the same plans as the ‘e3-Bd2 Nimzo’, but has a better version as the ‘bad bishop’ is out on f4.

The move 6…c6 is Black’s most common way of playing in these positions. In this structure, we usually meet 6…Bf5 with 7.h3, intending g2-g4 followed by Ne5.

In response to 6…c6, we play 7.h3 as well.

This is a prophylactic measure. White keeps the h2-square for the bishop. White also keeps an eye out for Bf5, which we want to meet with g2-g4.

One of the important lines goes 7…0-0 8.e3 Nbd7 9.Bd3 Re8 10.0-0 Nf8 11.Bh2

We have a much better version of the traditional Queen’s Gambit Declined. We want to play Ne5 followed by f2-f4 next.

Against 4…a6, my suggestion is 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Qb3

This move was played only in a handful of games. White is ready to answer Black’s main move 6…c6 with 7.e4. Of course, the alternatives are covered as well. My analysis shows that White can pose problems for Black in all these relatively unexplored positions.

My suggestion against the Ragozin Variation is based on 4…Bb4 5.Qa4+ Nc6 6.e3 0-0 7.Qc2

White has spent a tempo with the queen in order to provoke …Nc6. The black knight is not optimally placed on c6 since from this position, it blocks the c7-pawn.

At this point, Black has several continuations – 7…dxc4, 7…b6, 7…Ne7, and 7…Re8.

As always, I try to provide you with fresh and relatively unexplored ideas and concepts. After studying all the analysis, you will definitely be able to put your opponents under a lot of pressure!