My Queen's Gambit Declined 

This course is designed to provide you with a complete and  practical repertoire for Black against 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5. The repertoire is based on 4.Nc3 Nbd7!? Even though 4.Nc3 is the main move, we will of course also cover all alternatives on move four—except for the Catalan, against which Papaioannou has already published a repertoire in his course Bogo-Indian Defence Refined.

This system offers a harmonious balance between activity and solidity, requiring minimal memorization.

What This Course Covers:

✅ 7 Comprehensive Lectures – Covering the entire Queen’s Gambit Declined repertoire.
✅ Strategic Clarity – Emphasis on understanding key concepts behind each position.
✅ Practical Focus – A repertoire that’s simple to learn yet effective at any level.

Lecture Breakdown:

📖 Lecture 1 – Queen's Gambit Declined: Classical Strategies
📖 Lecture 2 – Fighting the Alternatives to 4.Nc3
📖 Lecture 3 – White Plays Bf4 without cxd5
📖 Lecture 4 – White Plays Bg5 without cxd5
📖 Lecture 5 – Setups with cxd5 and Bf4 – GM Ioannis Papaioannou
📖 Lecture 6 – Setups with cxd5 and Bg5 – Part 1
📖 Lecture 7 – Setups with cxd5 and Bg5 – Part 2

Below, you can find a brief overview of the lectures.

Lecture 1 - Queen's Gambit Declined - Classical Strategies

Before diving into the theoretical lines, GM Ioannis Papaioannou explains the key strategic ideas and typical plans that define the Queen’s Gambit Declined. This approach ensures a deep understanding of fundamental pawn structures, making it easier to apply the repertoire in practical games.

Key Themes:

🔹 The Carlsbad Structure – Understanding pawn breaks, piece maneuvers, and long-term plans
🔹 Exploiting Doubled Pawns on g2/g3 - The role of ...h5-h4 and knight transfers to d6
🔹 Kingside Attack Strategies – Typical attacking motifs in knight vs. bishop battles
🔹 Symmetrical Structures – How to handle positions where White avoids cxd5, leading to an open c- and d-file
🔹 Breaking with c4-c5 – White’s main strategic push and how Black should respond

This lecture lays the foundational principles needed to navigate complex middlegame structures before delving into the specifics of theoretical lines.

SAMPLE EXAMPLE

Lecture 2 - Fighting the Alternatives to 4.Nc3

In this lecture, GM Ioannis Papaioannou explores White’s four main alternatives to 4.Nc3: 4.cxd5, 4.Bg5, 4.Qc2, and 4.e3. Instead of relying on long theoretical lines, he provides simple and practical solutions that are easy to remember and effective at any level. The focus is on strategic clarity, ensuring that you can confidently handle these deviations without the need for extensive memorization. By understanding the key ideas behind each move, you’ll be well-equipped to face any of these setups over the board.

SAMPLE EXAMPLE

Lecture 3 - White Plays Bf4 without cxd5

This lecture covers the position arising after 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Bf4 

This is a common and good move! Black has several ways to play - our choice is a nice and very trendy line, which offers good counterplay and chances to size the initiative!

The most important position arises after 5...Bb4 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Bd2 N5f6!

This is the starting position of the whole system. Black has a sound position, but we need to know a few key details. For example, when it is the right moment to play ... b6, or when to play ...0-0! All in all, Black is doing very well in this line.

SAMPLE EXAMPLE

Lecture 4 - White Plays Bg5 without cxd5 

This lecture deals with the setups based on Bg5 without cxd5. The main tabiya is being reached after 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 Be7 7.e3 0-0

This is a very good position for Black! Solid, but with nice potential for counterplay! Our plan now is either to play ...c7-c5! or ...dxc4!, followed by ...c7-c5 (or ...a6  first)!Very little concrete theory is needed here!

SAMPLE EXAMPLE

Lecture 5 - Setups with cxd5 and Bf4

This lecture deals with an extremely important setup - 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bf4 when White is trying to get his typical play against the Carlsbad structure. Our choice here is 6...Nb6!

Our main choice is the Nb6 idea, aiming to play ...Bf5! on the next move. Additionally, we will explore 6...c6 as a practical alternative.

Here are some important strategic objectives for Black:

1️⃣ Exchange pieces and transfer the knight to d6
2️⃣ Develop the light-squared bishop to f5 for optimal piece placement
3️⃣ Provoke White to play g4 and counterattack with ...Ne4
4️⃣ Play ...Nh5 to gain the bishop pair

Black must achieve at least one of these goals to secure a strong position!

SAMPLE EXAMPLE

Lecture 6 - Setups with cxd5 and Bg5 - Part 1

The last two lectures are dedicated to White's most principled approach against our line – cxd5 followed by Bg5. Against this system, Papaioannou provides two solutions – a solid and an ambitious one.

The current lecture focuses on the solid option:
5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 c6 7. e3 h6 8. Bh4 Be7

🔹 Remember: Our plan is not to follow the typical Carlsbad setup with ...Be7, 0-0, Re8, Nf8, etc. Instead, we focus on concrete moves that challenge White's setup early.

✅ After 8...Be7 9.Bd3, we immediately strike with 9...Ne4!
✅ After 8...Be7 9.Qc2, we go for 9...Nh5!

This direct approach ensures dynamic play, preventing White from achieving a comfortable setup!

SAMPLE EXAMPLE

Lecture 7 - Setups with cxd5 and Bg5 - Part 2

The final lecture explores Black's more aggressive option:
5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 Bb4

This ambitious setup offers excellent winning chances for Black. GM Ioannis Papaioannou provides an in-depth analysis, revealing a variety of powerful strategic and tactical ideas to outplay White.

SAMPLE EXAMPLE