Chess opening · ECO D35
Queen's Gambit Declined: Normal Defense
The Queen's Gambit Declined: Normal Defense starts 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6. It ranks #85 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.
Move by move
- 1. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
- 1... d5Black pushes the d-pawn two squares to d5, staking a claim in the center.
- 2. c4White pushes the c-pawn two squares to c4.
- 2... e6Black advances the e-pawn to e6.
- 3. Nc3White develops the queenside knight to c3.
- 3... Nf6Black develops the kingside knight to f6.
What players choose next, by rating
The three most common White moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Among players rated under 1200, the most popular next move is Nf3; among players rated 2000 and up, it is Bg5.
| Rating | Most common | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | Nf3 55% | Bg5 30% | e3 16% |
| 1200–1399 | Bg5 28% | Nf3 24% | e3 16% |
| 1400–1599 | Bg5 32% | Nf3 25% | e3 16% |
| 1600–1799 | Bg5 36% | Nf3 26% | e3 15% |
| 1800–1999 | Bg5 37% | Nf3 25% | e3 15% |
| 2000 and up | Bg5 37% | cxd5 25% | Nf3 24% |
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