Queen's Gambit Declined

We will be looking at the Queen's Gambit Declined from Black's point of view.

It arises after the following moves:

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Nbd7

Note: White cannot win a pawn with 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Nxd5

5.e3 c6 6.Nf3 Qa5 This is the Cambridge Springs Variation.

White has to be careful as the bishop on g5 is under hidden attack from the Black Queen. The natural developing move Be3 is a mistake.

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7.Bd3 Ne4 8.Nd2 Nxd2 9.Qxd2 dxc4 and White loses a piece as the two bishops are both under attack!

or White could try:

8.Bf4 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Qxc3+ 10.Kf1 dxc4

8.Bxe4 dxe4 9.Ne5 Bb4

but Black still gains an advantage.

White now has three reasonable seventh moves:

A. 7.Nd2

B. 7.Bxf6

C. 7.cxd5