Queens Gambit Declined Harrwitz Two Knights Defense
Queen’s Gambit Declined (QGD)
Definition
The Queen’s Gambit Declined is a family of openings that arises after the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6. White offers the c-pawn to divert Black’s central pawn; Black “declines” the gambit by reinforcing the center with 2…e6 instead of capturing on c4. The result is one of the oldest, most classical struggles for the center in chess.
Typical Move-Orders
Although 2…e6 is the textbook starting point, many transpositions lead to the same tabiyas:
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5
- 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 (Slav → QGD)
Strategic Themes
- Carlsbad Structure. After the exchange cxd5 exd5, the minority attack (b4–b5) vs. Black’s kingside pawn majority is a textbook plan for White.
- Light-squared Bishop. Black’s c8-bishop can be temporarily hemmed in. Solutions include the Orthodox system …Be7 and the Tartakower–Makogonov–Bondarevsky system …b6 …Bb7.
- Central Tension. Both sides often delay captures on d5/c4, keeping the pawn clash as a dynamic lever.
Main Variations
- Orthodox Defence: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 O-O
- Tarrasch Defence: 3.Nc3 c5 (resists an isolani but accepts an IQP)
- Exchange Variation: 3.cxd5 exd5 — beloved by Capablanca.
- Cambridge-Springs: …Nbd7, …c6, …Qa5 pin.
Historical Significance
The QGD was already common in the 1850s, but it gained enormous prestige when Wilhelm Steinitz and Emanuel Lasker adopted it in World Championship play. In the 20th century it became a pillar of the repertoires of Alekhine, Botvinnik, and Karpov, each adding new strategic layers.
Illustrative Game
Botvinnik – Capablanca, AVRO 1938 (Orthodox, Carlsbad structure) is a model minority-attack demonstration.
Trivia
- The opening has its own nickname in Russia – «Ферзевый гамбит, отказанный» – so famous that “declined” is understood without specifying which gambit.
- The 1997 Kasparov vs. Deep Blue match featured a fierce QGD Exchange game that ended in a wild opposite-colored-bishop draw.
Harrwitz
Who Was Daniel Harrwitz?
Daniel Harrwitz (1832 – 1884) was a German master renowned for his defensive skill and endgame technique. Ranked among the world’s best in the 1850s, he famously lost a match to Paul Morphy in Paris, 1858, retiring mid-match for health reasons.
Openings Bearing His Name
Several unrelated systems are called “Harrwitz” because he experimented with them in the Romantic era:
- Harrwitz Attack vs. the French: 1.e4 e6 2.d3. White avoids theory, planning c3 and d4 later.
- Harrwitz Gambit (King’s Pawn Game): 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4. White recaptures with the queen, accepting a tempo loss for open lines.
- Harrwitz Opening (Queen’s Knight): 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3. A quiet system that can transpose to the Colle or London.
Strategic Ideas
- Anti-theory Weapon. Each Harrwitz line sidesteps mainstream openings, forcing the opponent to think independently.
- Flexible Pawn Structures. Especially after 1.e4 e6 2.d3, White can morph into a King’s Indian Attack, Closed Sicilian, or even a reversed Pirc.
Example Snapshot
Anecdotes
- Harrwitz was such a meticulous analyst that Howard Staunton nicknamed him “the human book.”
- In café play he reputedly offered pawn odds while still using his pet line 1.e4 e6 2.d3 to confuse opponents!
Two Knights Defense
Definition
The Two Knights Defense occurs after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6, when Black develops the king’s knight aggressively, eyeing the e4-pawn and inviting tactical fireworks.
Main Branches
- 4.Ng5!? – The ultra-sharp “Fried Liver” and “Lolli” attacks, where White targets f7. After 4…d5 5.exd5 Nxd5? 6.Nxf7! is the famous Fried Liver fork.
- 4.d4 – The modern main line (Giuoco Pianissimo reversed), leading to quieter central play.
- 4.d3 – A positional system avoiding tactics; often transposes into the Italian Game.
Strategic and Tactical Motifs
- King Safety vs. Initiative. Black accepts potential danger on f7 in return for rapid development.
- Piece Activity. Lines with 4.Ng5 force concrete calculation; the slightest inaccuracy can be fatal.
- Center Tension. By playing …d5 early, Black fights for space but must watch out for pins on the c4–f7 diagonal.
Historical Context
The opening was popularized by Italian masters such as Giulio Cesare Polerio in the 16th century. It later became a proving ground for Romantic tactics; in the 20th century, analysts like Keres refined defensive resources (e.g., 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5!).
Famous Game
Morphy vs. Duke Karl / Count Isoard, Paris 1858 – a consultation game often cited as the quintessential Two Knights slug-fest.
Fun Facts
- Engine analysis shows that Black can survive the Fried Liver with accurate play, but over-the-board the line scores 60 %+ for White below master level.
- In elite practice, the Berlin Variation of the Ruy Lopez has overtaken the Two Knights as a drawing weapon, yet the latter remains a surprise choice—Carlsen used it to beat Anand (Wijk aan Zee 2013).