Chess Openings Lab
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Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, Janowski Variation

The Janowski Variation is 3.Nc3 dxc4 4.Nf3, where Black takes the c4 pawn and White calmly develops. Black must choose how to use the extra move, while White plans e4 to build a big center and win the c4 pawn back.

Moves
1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 dxc4 4.Nf3
ECO
D07
Engine
+0.82 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,060 games in our lichess sample
White scores
58.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • e4 next takes the full center and frees the f1 bishop to recapture on c4.
  • Meet ...Bg4 with Be3 to guard d4, then Bxc4 as in the top engine line.
  • Answer ...e5 or ...a6 with d5, gaining space and kicking the c6 knight.
  • After ...Bb4, Qd3 defends the c3 knight and keeps the e4 pawn safe.

Black

  • 4...Nf6 is the most natural, controlling e4 and leading to the Modern Gambit.
  • ...Bg4 pins the f3 knight and adds pressure to d4 after White pushes e4.
  • Avoid 4...e5: after d5 the knight must jump and Black's pieces end up loose.
  • Do not try to hold c4 with ...a6 and ...b5; White kicks with d5 and a4.

Plans and pawn structure

White owns the center and gets c4 back with Bxc4, so Black must use the time for development and pins. With ...Nf6 and ...Bg4, Black makes White spend moves on Be3 and Qd3. White then castles and aims to push d5 or e5 to gain space. Black wants ...e6, ...Bb4 and castling, then a rook on d8 or ...e5 to hit the center.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.82: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.82 4...Nf6 5.e4 Bg4 6.Be3 e6 7.Bxc4
  2. +1.08 4...e5 5.d5 e4 6.Ng5 Ne5 7.Ngxe4
  3. +1.15 4...a6 5.d5 Na7 6.e4 b5 7.a4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,060 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 58.8%.

under 120055.8%
1200–159957.9%
1600–199960.5%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As Black, play 4...Nf6 and follow with ...Bg4 against e4. Avoid pawn grabs like ...a6 and ...b5, which White meets with d5, e4 and a4. Also avoid 4...e5, because d5 drives the c6 knight away and White's pieces jump into the center.

Questions

What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, Janowski Variation?

The Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, Janowski Variation starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 dxc4 4.Nf3. Its ECO code is D07.

Is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, Janowski Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.82 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 1,060 lichess games from our sample, White scored 58.8%. White's position is pleasant; Black needs accurate development and must avoid holding the extra pawn.

What is the main idea of the Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, Janowski Variation?

Black takes the c4 pawn, and White uses the time to prepare e4 and a big center. Black's job is fast development with ...Nf6 and ...Bg4 instead of keeping the pawn.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf6, with e5 and a6 close behind. 4...Nf6 controls e4 and develops, which keeps White from getting the center for free.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.