QGD: 2...Bf5 3.cxd5 Bxb1 4.Rxb1

QGD: 2...Bf5 3.cxd5 Bxb1 4.Rxb1

Definition

This string of moves belongs to the Baltic (or Grau) Defence, a sharp sideline of the Queen’s Gambit Declined. It arises after:

1.d4 d5 2.c4 Bf5  3.cxd5 Bxb1 4.Rxb1

Black immediately develops the queen’s-bishop to f5—outside the classical d7–e6 pawn chain—and on move three captures the knight on b1, voluntarily giving up the bishop pair in return for:

• Disrupting White’s queenside development (the rook is drawn to b1)
• Gaining a tempo on the undefended rook
• Keeping the central pawn tension alive (…Qxd5 often follows)

Usage in Play

The line is employed by players who want to sidestep the vast main-line theory of the Queen’s Gambit and create immediate asymmetry. It is most frequently seen in rapid and blitz, but has appeared in classical encounters as a surprise weapon.

Strategic & Tactical Themes

• Imbalanced Minor Pieces: Black trades a dark-squared bishop for a knight, aiming for dynamic central play with the remaining bishop on c8.
• Queenside Rook on b1: The early rook move temporarily hampers White’s development; the a1 knight and c1 bishop must tip-toe around their own rook.
• Central Counter-Punch: …Qxd5, …e5, or …c6 quickly strike at the d4–d5 complex.
• Endgame Implications: If queens come off, Black’s damaged pawn structure (c- and a-pawns) can become a liability because the earlier bishop trade reduced his grip on dark squares.

Historical Notes

The defence is named after Latvian master Hermanis Baltiņš (“Baltic”) and Argentine GM Roberto Grau. Though never mainstream, it has been tested by several elite players, including Viktor Korchnoi and Alexei Shirov.

Illustrative Example

A typical continuation illustrating Black’s ideas:

Position after 10…O-O-O: Black has regained the pawn, castled long and generated central-kingside pressure, while White’s rook on b1 and pawn on a3 still look awkward.

Evaluation & Modern Verdict

Engines give White a small edge (≈+0.4) because of the bishop pair and healthier structure, yet practical chances are rich due to the unusual piece placement. The line therefore remains a “play for two results” weapon for Black in faster time controls.

Interesting Facts

• In the 2005 Spanish Team Championship, Shirov used the variation to defeat GM Vallejo Pons in only 24 moves, launching a kingside attack that began with the surprising …Rg8!.
• The early bishop capture is one of the very few instances in mainstream openings where Black intentionally surrenders a bishop so early without provocation.
• Because the rook lands on b1, some amateur databases humorously tag the position as the “Baltic Exchange Sac,” a pun on the Baltic Exchange building in London.

Practical Tips

1. As White, consider 5.Nf3 followed by g3 and Bg2, fianchettoing the traded-off dark-squared bishop’s counterpart.
2. As Black, time …e5 accurately; doing so too early can leave the d-pawn weak.
3. Both sides should keep an eye on the half-open c-file; it often becomes the main battlefield in the middlegame.