Queens Gambit Declined Ragozin Alekhine Variation
Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD)
Definition
The Queen’s Gambit Declined is a classical response to 1.d4 in which Black meets White’s attempted pawn sacrifice (the Queen’s Gambit — 2.c4) with the solid move 2…e6. By declining the gambit, Black keeps the central pawn on d5 and prepares to develop smoothly, accepting a somewhat cramped position in return for structural solidity.
Typical Move Order
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7 (or 4…Bb4, 4…c6)
The basic tabiya arises after both sides castle and complete normal
development.
Strategic Themes
- Central Tension: The pawn duo on d4–d5 is rarely exchanged immediately; keeping the tension allows both sides flexible plans.
- Minor-Piece Battles: White’s light-squared bishop (usually on g5 or f4) and Black’s pieces vie for key squares such as e5 and c5.
- Minority Attack vs. Kingside Play: In many Orthodox-structure games, White attacks on the queenside with b4–b5 while Black seeks breaks with …e5 or …f5.
- End-game Friendly for Black: Symmetrical pawn structures and the absence of weaknesses often lead to equal or slightly worse but defendable endings for Black.
Historical Significance
First analysed in detail by 19th-century masters such as Wilhelm Steinitz and Siegbert Tarrasch, the QGD became the classical answer to the Queen’s Gambit. It featured in the 1927 World Championship match between Capablanca and Alekhine and remains a staple of modern elite chess (e.g., many Carlsen–Karjakin 2016 games).
Illustrative Game
Capablanca – Alekhine, World Championship 1927 (Game 7) is a textbook demonstration of the Orthodox Defence. Capablanca pressed with the minority attack but Alekhine’s accurate defence held the draw.
Interesting Facts
- The opening has the reputation of being the “grand old lady” of 1.d4 defences because it has changed remarkably little in a century.
- Statistically, the QGD is one of the very few openings in which Black scores almost exactly 50 % in master play.
Ragozin Variation
Definition
The Ragozin is a dynamic sub-system of the Queen’s Gambit Declined in which Black quickly develops the queen’s bishop with …Bb4, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the c3-knight and c4-pawn.
Core Move Order
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bb4
Key Ideas
- Hybrid Defence: Combines QGD solidity with Nimzo-Indian piece activity (the dark-squared bishop is outside the pawn chain).
- Pressure on c-file: Black often plays …dxc4 followed by …c5, forcing White to decide between hanging pawns, an isolated pawn, or returning the pawn for development.
- Flexible Castling: Black can castle kingside early or delay it and play for …c5 and …Qe7 depending on White’s set-up.
Historical Background
Named after Soviet grandmaster and World Blitz Champion Viacheslav Ragozin, who popularised it in the 1930s–40s. The variation lay dormant for decades until a renaissance in the 2010s: Carlsen–Anand, World Championship 2014, featured the Ragozin in Games 3 and 6.
Typical Plans
- …dxc4 followed by …c5, undermining White’s centre.
- …b6 and …Bb7 to put long-term pressure on the e4-square.
- Exchange on c3 at an opportune moment, damaging White’s pawn structure.
Illustrative Miniature
Caruana – Carlsen, Sinquefield Cup 2014, saw Carlsen equalise effortlessly with the Ragozin and later win a famous end-game with both players under time pressure.
Trivia
- The Ragozin is one of the very few mainstream defences beginning with …Bb4 that can be reached without allowing the Rubinstein Gambit (because the move order avoids 3…Bb4+).
- Top engines evaluate the main lines at roughly 0.20 ± 0.10 for White, making it an excellent fighting weapon.
Alekhine Variation (in the QGD)
Definition
The Alekhine Variation is a closely related sister line to the Ragozin that arises when White plays 4.Bg5 instead of 4.Nf3, allowing Black to answer with 4…Bb4. The position is sharper because White’s bishop pins the knight on f6, creating immediate tactical tension.
Main Line
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bb4
Strategic & Tactical Motifs
- Double Pins: The f6-knight is pinned by Bg5, while Black’s bishop pins the c3-knight. Both sides must be alert to tactics on the e4- and d5-squares.
- Active Piece Play: Compared to the Orthodox QGD, piece activity is emphasised over pawn structure. Early fireworks with moves like …dxc4 or …c5 are common.
- Risk–Reward Profile: Black accepts slightly looser kingside dark squares (due to the bishop’s absence) in exchange for faster development and counter-pressure.
Historical Context
Although named after Alexander Alekhine, there is little evidence that he played it frequently; the appellation was popularised by the Handbuch des Schachspiels editors in the 1930s to honour Alekhine’s general attacking style. The line saw renewed interest when Garry Kasparov adopted it in the late 1980s.
Model Game
Kasparov – Karpov, Linares 1993: Kasparov sacrificed a pawn with 7.e4!?, seizing a massive centre and winning in trademark attacking fashion.
Fun Facts
- If White plays 5.e3, the game can transpose into a Cambridge Springs-type position after 5…Nbd7 6.Nf3 c6.
- Modern theory considers 5.a3 or 5.cxd5 equally viable alternatives, giving the variation rich transpositional possibilities.