Chess Openings Lab
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Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Normal Line

The Normal Line reaches the main-line QGD with 4...Be7 5.Bg5 O-O 6.e3, both sides developed and the d5 tension still in place. Black now picks a system, such as ...h6, ...Nbd7 or ...b6, while White aims for Rc1, Bd3 and pressure on the c-file.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 O-O 6.e3
ECO
D55
Engine
+0.08 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,428 games in our lichess sample
White scores
54.3%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After ...h6, Bxf6 Bxf6 then Rc1 and Bd3 is a simple plan with a small space edge.
  • Rc1 and Qc2 build pressure on c7, and cxd5 can come at the right moment.
  • Keep the bishop with Bh4 if Black plays ...h6, unless trading on f6 wins time.
  • Castle short and look for e4 or a minority attack depending on the structure.

Black

  • 6...h6 asks the bishop to decide; ...Bxf6 gives Black the bishop pair.
  • ...Nbd7 is the Orthodox Defense, preparing ...c6, ...Ne4 or a timely ...dxc4.
  • ...b6 and ...Bb7 develop the c8 bishop actively, Tartakower style, before White trades.
  • The triangle on c6, d5 and e6 keeps Black solid; break later with ...c5 or ...e5.

Plans and pawn structure

This is the main QGD tabiya. White plays Rc1, Bd3 and castles, then decides between cxd5 with a minority attack or e4 in the center. Black chooses a system: ...h6 and ...b6 with ...Bb7, ...Nbd7 with ...c6 and ...dxc4, or ...Ne4 trades. The pawn triangle gives Black a safe king and a solid center. The side that times its break best gets the edge.

Where the engine's main line heads: Black's pawn triangle: c6, d5, e6. Black's triangle of pawns on c6, d5 and e6: very solid, but it can shut in the c8 bishop.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.08: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.08 6...h6 7.Bxf6 Bxf6 8.Rc1 c6 9.Bd3
  2. +0.09 6...Nbd7 7.Rc1 h6 8.Bh4 c6 9.Qc2
  3. +0.11 6...b6 7.Qc2 Bb7 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.cxd5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,428 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.3%.

1200–159949.4%
1600–199954.9%
2000 and up55.0%

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

Where it goes next

  • Orthodox Defense6...Nbd7 · 922 games
  • Anti-Tartakower Variation6...h6 · rare
  • Orthodox Defense, Classical Variation6...Nbd7 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, choose a system and play it consistently: ...h6 then ...b6, or ...Nbd7 then ...c6. Do not leave the c8 bishop locked behind e6 forever. Look for ...dxc4 and ...c5 or ...e5 to free the game. Keep ...Ne4 in mind to trade pieces.

Questions

What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Normal Line?

The Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Normal Line starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 O-O 6.e3. Its ECO code is D55.

Is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Normal Line good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.08 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,428 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.3%. A solid classical position for players who know QGD structures and like slow maneuvering.

What is the main idea of the Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Normal Line?

Both sides have finished basic development and Black must choose a system. The main ideas are ...h6, ...Nbd7 or ...b6, each with a different way to free the c8 bishop.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is h6, with Nbd7 and b6 close behind. 6...h6 asks the bishop to commit and keeps options for ...b6 later.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.