Queen's Gambit Declined: Pseudo-Tarrasch Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO D50), reached after 9 half-moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 c5 5. cxd5.

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Continue from this position

2 replies continue into sub-variations from this position. Click any to drill deeper.

5…cxd4 1 line
- D50 Primitive Pillsbury Variation
5…Qb6 1 line
- D50 Canal Variation

About this opening

Queen's Gambit Declined: Pseudo-Tarrasch Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code D50. ECO group D (D00–D99) covers closed games and semi-closed games beginning 1.d4 d5, covering the Queen's Gambit, Slav, Grünfeld and related queen-pawn structures. This particular variation is reached after 9 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 c5 5. cxd5.

It belongs to the Queen's Gambit Declined family. Within that family this is a sub-variation (the Pseudo-Tarrasch Variation line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.d4 d5, 2.c4 e6, 3.Nc3 Nf6, 4.Bg5 c5, 5.cxd5. From this position 2 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.