Queen's Gambit Declined facts for kids
The Queen's Gambit Declined is a chess opening that starts with specific moves: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6. It's often called the QGD for short. This opening is very old and important in chess, and many top players use it.
In the QGD, both players try to control the center of the board. Unlike another opening called the Queen's Gambit Accepted, Black makes sure to keep their pawn on d5 safe and protected.
How the QGD Starts
The game begins with White moving their queen's pawn forward two squares (1.d4). Black responds by moving their queen's pawn forward two squares as well (1.d5).
Then, White moves their c-pawn (a pawn on the c-file) forward two squares (2.c4). This move is called the "Queen's Gambit" because White offers to trade their c-pawn for Black's d-pawn.
Black's move 2...e6 is what makes it the "Queen's Gambit Declined." Instead of taking White's pawn, Black moves their e-pawn (a pawn on the e-file) one square forward. This move helps protect Black's d5 pawn.
A Look at the Moves
Let's see an example of how a game might continue in the Queen's Gambit Declined. This shows how pieces develop and how players try to gain an advantage.
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
| 8 |
            |
8 | |||||||
| 7 | 7 | ||||||||
| 6 | 6 | ||||||||
| 5 | 5 | ||||||||
| 4 | 4 | ||||||||
| 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
- 1.d4 d5
- 2.c4 e6
- 3.Nc3 Nf6 (White develops a knight, Black develops a knight)
- 4.Bg5 Be7 (White develops a bishop, Black develops a bishop)
- 5.e3 0-0 (White moves a pawn, Black castles to protect their king)
- 6.Nf3 c6 (White develops another knight, Black strengthens their center)
- 7.cxd5 exd5 (White takes Black's pawn, Black takes back)
- 8.Bd3 Nbd7 (White develops a bishop, Black develops a knight)
- 9.0-0 h6 (White castles, Black moves a pawn to challenge White's bishop)
- 10.Bh4 (White moves their bishop back)
In this position, White has more space on the board. Black needs to decide how to move their pieces to get them into good positions. Even though White might seem to have an easier game here, Black players often do very well with the Queen's Gambit Declined. Good moves for Black in this position could be 10...Ne4 or 10...Re8.
See also
In Spanish: Gambito de dama declinado para niños
