11. Queen's Gambit Declined

A he unostentatious move I P-Q4 is nowadays considered the most effective way of beginning a game of chess. This is evinced by a preponderance of Queen Pawn games in modern master tournaments.

Odd, indeed, is the apparent reappraisal of this debut. It was first mentioned in the Göttingen Manuscript of 1490. And not until the Vienna Tournament of 1873—nearly four hundred years later—did it receive any legitimate recognition.

There is, of course, room for argument over the relative merits of I P-Q4 as against other opening moves. This much, however, can be said in its favor. It leads to structurally sound patterns of play, with few intrinsic defects; it averts surprise mating attacks—for the White King is generously protected; it restricts the adversaries' defenses to the sparser branches of the Queen Pawn and, consequently, permits White to concen­trate on only a few lines; and it affords excellent prospects for slow but sure progress.

Preliminary move in the Queen's Gambit Declined is usually 1 P-Q4. Often, however, the same patterns are reached by a transposition of moves.

The opening arises as follows:

1 P-Q4 . . . .

The advance of the Pawn to Q4 embodies many purposes.

1I)        Control of the center. The Pawn at Q4 strikes at the
important central square K5 and the square on the rim of the
center, QB5.

1. Freedom of action. The advance of the Queen Pawn releases White's Queen and Queen Bishop for future action.
2. Safety of the King. When White plays 1 P-K4, Black often effectively posts a Bishop at Black's QB4, pointing at the White King's field. 1 P-Q4 averts even this latent threat.

1            . . . . P-Q4

Black follows suit for the same reasons. Alternative lines of play such as 2 ... N-KB3 or 1 ... P-K3 may lead to the same opening by transposition of moves. Or they may lead to independent defenses, not within the scope of the Queen's Gambit Declined.

2            P-QB4 . . . .

The Queen's Gambit. White offers a Pawn in order to decoy Black's center Pawn from its control of vital squares.

2 . . . . P-K3

The most popular defense, since it has been extensively analyzed. According to the results of the analysis, Black is able to hold his own, with precision defense.

The paramount drawback of the move is that it locks in Black's Queen Bishop. From here on, Black is saddled with the problem of developing this Bishop, which is often referred to as the "problem Bishop."

The question arises: why lock in the Bishop? Why not continue with 2 ... P-QB3 and bring out the Bishop later on? The fact is that 2 ... P-QB3 is quite playable. But not for the reason that Black will be able to bring out the Bishop.

Black's Queen Bishop is tied to the defense of Black's Queen Knight Pawn. As soon as the Bishop moves, White continues with Q-N3 and attacks the Knight Pawn. Black must then defend the Pawn. He can do so by playing . . . Q-B1. Then, however, his Queen is relegated to the menial task of defending a Pawn—a sorry job for the Queen. Or he can do so by advancing his Queen Knight Pawn to QN3. The advance of this Pawn leaves a marked weakness on the white squares in Black's Queen-side Pawn structure. Such a weakness can be exploited profitably by the expert. Hence Black rec­onciles himself to retaining the Queen Bishop on its original square until some such time in the future that he is able to bring it out, without damaging his position. And he willingly locks in the Bishop for the present by the text move as being the wisest of unhappy choices.

The alternative 2 ... P-QB3, however, is good. In fact, it is the theoretical rejoinder. For should White capture 3 PxP, Black can recapture with the Bishop Pawn and keep the Pawn formation in symmetrical balance. On the contrary, after 2 . . . P-K3; 3 PxP, PxP, White remains with two center Pawns —the King Pawn and the Queen Pawn—as against Black's one Pawn—the Queen Pawn.

Despite these considerations, the text move is more often employed. Black has a difficult position, in any event; and it is merely a question of which defense Black prefers to suffer through before he can reach equality.

2          . . . PxP is the Queen's Gambit Accepted, which, in a sense, is not a valid gambit insofar as White can recover the Pawn at will.

After 2 ... PxP, the continuation runs as follows: 3 N-KB3, N-KB3; 4 P-K3, and Black makes no effort to defend his extra Bishop Pawn, which is attacked by White's King Bishop. A defense will be of no avail, thus: 4 . . . P-QN4; 5 P-QR4, P-B3; 6 PxP, PxP; 7 P-QN3; Now, if 7 . . . PxP; 8 BxPch, followed by 9 QxP, recovers the Pawn with the better position.

It is to be noted that after 1 P-Q4, P-Q4; 2 P-QB4, Black must either accept the gambit, resort to a speculative counter-gambit, or protect his Queen Pawn with a Pawn. Should Black make any old developing move at this stage, White will gain an advantage. For example, if 2 . . . N-KB3; 3 PxP. Now, if 3 . . . QxP; 4 N-QB3, and White's development has been enhanced at Black's expense. Or, if 3 . . . NxP; 4 P-K4, and White's has established a superior center at Black's expense.

3 N-QB3 . . . .

A good developing move, exerting pressure on the center.

3          PxP, known as the Exchange Variation, also offers excellent prospects. In making the exchange, White expects to profit from his extra center Pawn and the newly-opened Queen Bishop file on which he can exercise permanent pressure during the future course of the game. On the other hand, the exchange ends the tension in the center and frees Black's problem Bishop. The sum total of pluses and minuses, in the opinion of the experts, seems to favor the text move.

3           . . . . N-KB3

A good developing move, defending the center and clear­ing Black's first rank in order to make early castling possible.

If 3 ... PxP, the game reverts to the Queen's Gambit Accepted.

4           B-N5 . . . .

Putting additional pressure on the center, White threatens to continue with 5 BxN. For, if . . . QxB; 6 PxP, PxP; 7 NxP gains a Pawn. Or, if 5 . . . PxB, Black's King-side Pawn position is shattered.

4           . . . QN-Q2!

An indirect defense of the Queen Pawn, involving a pretty trap.

Again, if 4 ... PxP, White has no difficulty in retrieving the Pawn by 5 P-K3.

5           P-K3 . . . .

White now defends the gambit Pawn, so that he need no longer concern himself with whether or not he will be able to recover it, in the event it is captured.

White must not attempt to win a Pawn with 5 PxP, PxP; 6 NxP. For Black continues with 6 ... NxN and wins a piece! 7 BxQ, B-N5ch; 8 Q-Q2, BxQch; 9 KxB, KxB.

5            . . . . B-K2

The best post for the Bishop, since it relieves the pin on Black's King Knight. On Q3, the Bishop is aggressively disposed but in a somewhat incongruous position. For Black's role is to defend successfully and break loose only after he has achieved equality and freedom of action. Black must first solve the problem of the "problem Bishop."

6            N-B3 . . . .

Since Black's King Knight is no longer pinned, there is no point to swapping the Queen Pawn, except to revert to the Exchange Variation. As already mentioned, the Exchange Variation frees Black's problem Bishop. It does not matter, in this instance, that Black's Knight is posted at Q2 and blocks the problem Bishop. This block is only temporary.

The text move is in line with the plan of development, to put pressure on the center.

6           . . . . O-O

Black completes his King-side development, establishing a new haven for his King.

7           R-B1 . . . .

White elects to put the Rook on a file which will be opened, sooner or later. This is what is technically called a positional move.

7 . . . . P-B3

Black reinforces the Queen Pawn so that Black's King Knight will be able to move, when necessary.

8 B-Q3 . . . .

White brings out his last minor piece and puts it on a square which bears in the general direction of the Black Monarch, for future reference.

A resume of the position at this point discloses the follow­ing advantages in White's favor. (1) White has a better grip on the center. (2) White enjoys greater freedom of action. (3) Black must solve the problem of the "problem Bishop."

8 PxP

The first step in Black's over-all plan to solve all of his difficulties. The exchange vacates Black's Q4 and enables Black to use that square to relieve pressure and simplify the forces by exchanges.

9 BxP N-Q4

Black virtually forces the exchange of White's Queen Bishop; the second step in the plan.

1. BxB
2. O-O            QxB

White's development goes on apace.

11         . . . . NxN

The third step in the plan. Soon the idea of how Black expects to free his problem Bishop will become clear.

12         RxN . . . .

To exercise pressure on the Queen Bishop file and also, in some contingencies, to swing the Rook over to the King-side of the board, after P-K4.

12 . . . . P-K4

The fourth step. Now the original diagonal of Black's Queen Bishop—closed on Black's second move—is open once again.

From here on, Black should be able to ward off any on­slaught against his King, with exacting defense.

Two suggested continuations are:

(J) 13 PxP, NxP; 14 NxN, QxN; 15 P-B4!, Q-K5!; 16 B-N3, B-B4; 17 Q-R5, P-KN3; 18 Q-R6, QR-Q1; 19 B-B2, Q-Q4; 20 P-K4, BxP, with about even chances.

White has a strong continuation in 21 R-KR3.

(2) 13 Q-B2, P-K5; 14 N-Q2, N-B3; 15 R-B1, B-B4; J6 P-B4, QR-Q1; 17 P-QR3, P-KR4; 18 P-QN4, P-KN3; 19 Q-N3, R-Q2, with even chances.

Conclusions

Of all the openings at White's command, those beginning with the move 1 P-Q4 grant White the longest-lasting pres­sure. True, Black is able to hold his own with correct defense. But the onus of exactitude rests with the defender.

Chess Movie

MOVE CLIMACTERIC

The Orthodox Defense to the Queen Gambit Declined is a low-geared starter. About midway during hostilities, it shifts to second gear and then quickly to high. At a whirl­wind pace, Dr. Max Euwe defeats Sir George Thomas in the memorable contest of Hastings, 1934-5. The game begins with: 1 P-QB4, P-K3; 2 N-QB3, P-Q4; 3 P-Q4, N-KB3 (see diagram No. 1).

1

 There follows: 4 B-N5, B-K2; 5 P-K3, O-O; 6 N-B3, QN-Q2; 7 R-B1, P-B3. Each player sticks to the accredited line, reaching the book position by slight transpositions in sequence. The moves are more or less automatic, with years of logic and reason engraved into ev­ery turn.

2

 Still the players keep to the tried and true. So there follows: 8 B-Q3, PxP; 9 BxP, N-Q4; 10 BxB, QxB; 11 O-O, NxN; 12 RxN, P-K4. Sir George at last solves the problem of his "problem Bishop." He has not yet, how­ever, resolved the bigger problem—the further course of the game.

3

Euwe continues with J3 NxP, and a general exchange ensues: 13 . . . NxN; 14 PxN, QxP. Then Euwe signals an attack with 15 P-B4. The King Bish­op Pawn is full of portent. It reaches out in the direction of the Black King. How shall Sir George stave off the im­pending onslaught?

4

 Sir George retreats his Queen, with 15 . . . Q-K2, and he errs in not preventing the further ad­vance of the King Bishop Pawn. Now 16 P-B5 is the move, Black's natural devel­opment is subdued. His Bish­op, once more, must find a way out. To boot, Black's King-side Pawn structure is menaced.

5

 Sir George counters with 16 . . . P-QN4—a wing demonstration. He now hopes to divert his noted adversary's attention from his own King. At the same time, he creates an exit for his Bishop. Euwe retreats: 17 B-N3, and 27 . . . P-N5 follows. Now comes the initial break-through. 18 P-B6 is the move.

6

 Sir George captures: 18 . . . PxP, and Euwe follows up with 19 QRxP. A Pawn or so, when the King is exposed, does not add up. Sir George plays 19 . . QxPch, and Euwe re­treats, with 20 K-Rl. At long last, the problem Bishop en­ters the fray, with 20 . . . B-N2. Both sides are now alerted.

7

There follows: 21 QRxP, Q-K5. Black fo­cuses his attention on the White King. Euwe de­fends, with 22 Q-Q2 and, at the same time, prepares to swing his Queen into action against the opposing King. There follows: 22 . . . K-Rl, and each side appraises the open King Knight file en­viously.

8

 Euwe continues with 23 BxP. No enemy Rook will occupy the King Knight file if he can pre­vent it. And Sir George coun­ters with 23 . . . QR-B1. Now Euwe defends with 24 R/6-B2. Attack and defend-that is the order of play. Now the question is: who is going to break out next—and where?

9

 Sir George temporizes by 24 ... QR-Ql, and Euwe penetrates, with 25 Q-N5. For a moment all is calm. Sir George seizes the opportunity to utilize his Rook for what appears double duty —attack and defense. 25 . . . R-Q3 is the move. Little does he realize that the climax is at hand.

10

This is the calm before I w the storm. With one fell move, the game is about to end. 26 B-Q5 is the move. It spells finis. Every­thing is under fire at once. The Queen, the Rook, the Bishop and the hapless mon­arch. No mortal could with­stand such a blow. Sir George is but mortal after all. He re­signs.

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