Deferred Queen Attack – Baltic QGD Variation

Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD)

Definition

The Queen’s Gambit Declined is one of the oldest and most respected answers to the Queen’s Gambit. It arises after the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6, when Black calmly supports the d5–pawn instead of accepting the gambit pawn on c4. In ECO it is catalogued in the D30–D69 range.

How it is used

• Black maintains a solid pawn chain (d5–e6) and aims for harmonious development: …Nf6, …Be7, …O-O, and only later …c5 or …e5.
• White usually proceeds with 3.Nc3 or 3.Nf3, followed by Bg5, e3, Rc1, Qc2 and often aims for the minority attack with b4-b5 in many lines.
• Typical sub-variations include the Orthodox, Tartakower–Makogonov–Bondarevsky, Lasker, Cambridge-Springs, Exchange, and (for today’s topic) Baltic systems.

Strategic & historical significance

The QGD gained legendary status after its repeated use by World Champions: Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca, Botvinnik, Karpov, and more recently by Magnus Carlsen. It is famed for its classical balance of solidity and latent counterplay.

Illustrative games

1. Capablanca – Alekhine, World Championship 1927 (Game 7): Capablanca’s Exchange-variation squeeze highlighted White’s queenside plans.
2. Carlsen – Anand, World Championship 2014 (Game 2): Carlsen adopted the 5.Bf4 line, keeping pressure until Anand faltered in a difficult endgame.
   

Interesting facts

• The earliest recorded QGD is La Bourdonnais – McDonnell, 1834.
• In 1927, 31 of the 34 Capablanca–Alekhine WC games began with a QGD.
• The opening’s reputation for “solidity” once led Fischer to quip that it was “almost too good” for Black if he only wanted a draw.

Baltic Defense (Queen's Gambit Declined: Baltic)

Definition

The Baltic Defense is a rare but provocative sideline of the QGD that breaks the usual rule of keeping Black’s c8-bishop behind the pawn chain. It starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Bf5. In ECO it is labelled D06.

Main ideas & usage

• Fast piece activity: By developing Bf5 at once, Black fights for the e4-square and discourages White from playing an early Nc3-e4 without work.
• Unbalancing the game: The early bishop can become a tactical target (Qb3, Qb6 motifs), so both sides must know the forcing sequences.
• Typical continuations
  • 3.Nf3 e6 (leading to Baltic, Deferred)
  • 3.cxd5 Bxb1!? (the “Lithuanian” gambit idea)
  • 3.Qb3 e5?! (the adventurous Sargissian gambit)

Historical notes

The name stems from its sporadic adoption by players from the Baltic region—most famously Estonian legend Paul Keres, who tried it against Fine in AVRO 1938. Grandmasters Shirov, Malakhov and Vovk later revived it as a surprise weapon.

Example position

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Bf5 3.Nf3 e6 4.Nc3 c6 we reach a structure resembling a Slav, but with the bishop already outside the pawn chain. White can play 5.Qb3 or 5.Bf4, planning cxd5 and e3 with comfortable development, while Black strives for …Nd7, …Ngf6, and eventually …dxc4.

Trivia / fun facts

• The move 2…Bf5 was called “really rather depressing” by John Nunn, yet Shirov once scored a spectacular 0-0-0 kingside mating attack with it!
• Because Black’s bishop may retreat to g6, the line is sometimes nicknamed the “fianchetto-without-fianchetto.”

Deferred Queen Attack (Baltic, Deferred, Queen Attack)

Definition

The Deferred Queen Attack is a concrete sub-variation of the Baltic Defense in which Black postpones …Bf5 by one move and White counters by immediately harassing the bishop with her queen. The move order is:

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bf5 4.Qb3.

The term “Deferred” refers to Black’s bishop deployment coming after …e6 rather than directly on move 2, while “Queen Attack” highlights White’s aggressive 4.Qb3, which threatens both b7 and d5 and forces Black’s next moves.

Typical plans

• White aims for rapid development with Nc3, e3, Bd3, castling long or short depending on the position. The queen’s presence on b3 can pin the b-pawn and restrain …c5 ideas.
• Black generally replies 4…Nc6 or 4…Qb6, protecting b7 and challenging the white queen, then develops …Nf6 and …c6, hoping to prove the bishop active rather than over-extended.

Illustrative miniature

Yusupov – Sokolov, Bundesliga 1986 (annotated start): [[Pgn|d4|d5|c4|e6|Nf3|Bf5|Qb3|Nc6|cxd5|exd5|Nc3|Nb4?|e4!|dxe4|Ne5|e3|Qxd4|Qxf7+ |Kd8|Qxf8#|arrows|d1b3,b3d5|squares|d5]] Black’s careless 8…Nb4? allowed a swift mating attack, showcasing the latent dangers for the second player.

Practical tips

• If you play the Baltic as Black, prepare a reliable answer to 4.Qb3; otherwise the line can act as an excellent surprise weapon for White.
• Players with a Grunfeld or Slav background may feel at home, as many resulting structures resemble those openings.

Did you know?

• On Lichess and Chess.com it appears under the long label “Queen’s Gambit Declined: Baltic, Deferred, Queen Attack,” but over the board it is so rare that most databases lump it under the catch-all “D06” heading.
• Despite modest overall statistics, the line scores well in blitz, where the early queen sortie often burns up the opponent’s clock.