QGD: 4.Bg5 dxc4 - Vienna Variation
QGD: 4.Bg5 dxc4
Definition
“QGD: 4.Bg5 dxc4” is a branch of the Queen’s Gambit Declined (QGD) that arises after the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxc4. Black breaks with the classical policy of defending the d5-pawn and instead captures the c-pawn immediately, accepting an IQP-type struggle in return for rapid queenside counterplay. In opening manuals the line is usually catalogued as the “Vienna Variation” (ECO codes D37–D39).
Move-order at a glance
The basic position appears after:
- 1. d4 d5
- 2. c4 e6
- 3. Nc3 Nf6
- 4. Bg5 dxc4 (diagram)
From here White’s two main continuations are 5. e4 (the most ambitious, staking out a huge centre) and 5. Nf3 (a calmer approach aiming for rapid development).
Strategic ideas
- Black’s aims
- Remove the pressure on d5 by eliminating the c4-pawn.
- Support the extra pawn with …b5, …c6, and sometimes …Bb7, forcing White to prove compensation.
- Undermine White’s centre later with …c5 or …e5.
- White’s aims
- Exploit the lead in development (the bishop already on g5 pins the f6-knight).
- Seize space with e2-e4, often obtaining a powerful pawn wedge on d5/e5.
- Target Black’s queenside after the typical pawn break c4-c5.
Typical tactical motifs
- Pin on the f6-knight. Tactics based on Bxf6 followed by e4-e5 or Qf3 are frequent.
- …b5 resource. Black can sometimes sacrifice the exchange with …Bb4+ and …Bxc3 to solidify the extra pawn on c4.
- Central pawn storms. After 5.e4 c5 6.d5! exd5 7.e5! White often drives the knight from f6 and gains dangerous attacking chances.
Historical significance
Although the idea of 4…dxc4 was known in Steinitz’s time, it did not become fashionable until the 1980s, when grandmasters such as Korchnoi and Romanishin began to search for fresh ideas against the ever-solid QGD. The variation briefly enjoyed elite popularity in the early 2000s—most notably in the Kramnik–Topalov and Anand–Kamsky matches—before sliding back into the category of “occasional surprise weapon.” With modern engines showing narrow paths to an edge for White, today it is used principally to sidestep heavy theory in the more mainstream 4…Be7 or 4…Nbd7 lines.
Model game
Romanishin’s creative handling of the black pieces illustrates the main themes:
Oleg Romanishin – Ulf Andersson, Bugojno 1982 Black’s imaginative 13…g5!? and 16…Qe6+ led to sharp play in which the extra pawn eventually counted. The game sparked renewed interest in the entire variation.
Illustrative variations
- 5.e4 c5 6.d5 exd5 7.e5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.exf6 gxh4 – “Sharp Main Line.” The pawn structure becomes asymmetrical and both kings are somewhat exposed.
- 5.Nf3 Bb4 6.e3 b5 7.a4 c6 8.axb5 cxb5 9.Be2 – Black puts full faith in holding the pawn with …b5, but White’s lead in development remains.
Modern status
Contemporary theory evaluates 4…dxc4 as playable but risky. With precise preparation White can secure an edge, yet the imbalanced pawn structure ensures rich middlegame chances for both sides—exactly the type of fight many players seek to avoid the heavy theory of the orthodox 4…Be7 systems. It remains a viable choice in rapid and blitz, where memorisation can outweigh objective assessment.
Interesting facts & anecdotes
- When the line first resurfaced, computers gave almost no advantage to White; modern engines now show up to +0.70, reflecting the subtle defensive resources White has discovered.
- Because the variation can transpose into a pure pawn-up endgame for Black, some grandmasters humorously refer to it as the “Grandmaster’s Gambit Accepted.”
- In training games Vladimir Kramnik used to tease his second Peter Svidler by announcing “I’m taking the pawn!” before playing 4…dxc4—knowing full well that Svidler disliked facing the arising complications as White.