Queen's Gambit Declined According to Cheparinov
GM Ivan Cheparinov has released another state-of-the-art opening repertoire: Queen’s Gambit Declined – Part 1, which delves into Black’s most dependable defense against 1.d4. The QGD remains immensely popular across all levels of chess. Its basic plans are straightforward and easy to understand: develop the kingside with ...Nf6, ...Be7, and ...0-0, followed by active play often based on the move ...c5.
The QGD boasts a sound and solid reputation, appealing to players of various styles thanks to its flexibility and multiple options against all of White's main lines.
In Queen's Gambit Declined - Part 1, GM Cheparinov constructs a complete repertoire for Black after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 and 3.Nc3, excluding the Catalan, which will be the focus of Part 2. True to his style, Cheparinov does not shy away from the most principled continuations, offering cutting-edge analysis in sharp lines.
What’s Inside?
- 18 theoretical lessons
- 15 interactive test positions
- A Memory Booster
- 6 hours of video lessons
Course Overview
Lessons 1 to 3 deal with White’s rarer options after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6. Black continues with …Be7, followed by castling kingside whenever possible, with only a few exceptions. One of them is 4.Bg5 dxc4!?
(see Lesson 3) potentially leading to much sharper play than the solid alternative 4…Be7 (which is covered under a different move order).
Beginning with Lesson 4, we begin studying White’s main continuation 4.Nc3. After 4…Be7, we have another split. White’s lesser options on move five are covered in Lesson 4. The continuations 5.cxd5, 5.e3, and 5.g3 are covered in Lessons 5 to 7. After 5.g3 0-0 6.Bg2 Black has various options, such as the solid 6…dxc4 7.Ne5 c5 or the original 7…Qd6 8.Nxc4 Qa6. The repertoire is built on 6…Nbd7 – a flexible move, keeping the options of taking on c4 and continuing the development with …b6, …Bb7, etc. White can go for the sharp pawn sacrifice 7.0-0 dxc4 8.a4 a5 9.e4 when the repertoire concentrates on the interesting 9…Nb6!?.
Black will continue with …Bd7-Bc6, …Bb4, with pressure against a4 and in the centre. This will lead to double-edged play, with chances for both sides.
Lessons 8 to 10 are dedicated to one of the “old” main lines of the QGD, the move 5.Bg5.
This is met with 5…h6 6.Bh4 (taking on f6 – see Lesson 8) 6…0-0 7.e3 (other continuations – see Lesson 9), and now the fire-proof 7…Nbd7. Both against 8.Rc1 and 8.Qc2, the move 8…c5 will be played, giving Black a healthy position with excellent equalising chances.
The move 5.Bf4 is currently White’s most popular line in this move order.
Here we go for 5…0-0 6.e3 (lesser alternatives on move 6 – see Lesson 11) 6…b6!?, a less theoretical, yet reliable alternative to the big main lines 6…c5 and 6…Nbd7. The move 6…b6 prepares not only …Bb7, but also a possible …Ba6, …dxc4 followed by either …Bb7 or …Ba6, and …c5. Depending on White’s seventh move, Black will choose the appropriate continuation. These lines are analysed in Lessons 12 and 13. One possible continuation to get an impression of the character of the play: 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 Ba6 9.Qe2 Bxc4 10.Qxc4 c5 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.0-0 Qc8 (the queen heads for b7) 13.Rac1 Nbd7 14.Qe2 Qb7 15.e4 Rfe8!.
This prophylactic move represents an important resource, giving Black sufficient counterchances after 16.e5 Nd5 17.Nxd5 exd5!
With Lesson 14, we turn our attention to the move order with 3.Nc3. Firstly, White’s rare options after 3…Nf6 are covered. Lesson 15 is dedicated to 4.Bg5 dxc4!? – a slightly unusual yet intriguing alternative to the traditional 4…Be7. Finally, the ever-popular Exchange Variation 4.cxd5 exd5 is covered in detail in Lessons 16 to 18. In the main line with 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 Be7 8.Bd3 0-0 9.Nge2 the comparatively fresh move 9…Ne8!? is Cheparinov’s recommendation in this repertoire.
Why Study This Course?
GM Cheparinov’s repertoire blends modern theoretical trends with practical, easy-to-follow solutions. His sharp analysis, coupled with strategic clarity, equips players with a reliable weapon against 1.d4 d5. From club players to professionals, this repertoire is designed to enhance your understanding and results in the Queen’s Gambit Declined.
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