D54 Queen’s Gambit Declined: Neo-Orthodox Variation
D54 holds a single named line. It leaves D53 (Queen’s Gambit Declined) with 5.e3 O-O 6.Rc1. Of all other reference positions, the board of D55 (Queen’s Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Normal Line) comes closest, four squares apart. When it ends, each side has two minor pieces out, and only Black has castled.
| # | White | Black |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | d4 | Nf6 |
| 2 | c4 | e6 |
| 3 | Nc3 | d5 |
| 4 | Bg5 | Be7 |
| 5 | e3 | O-O |
| 6 | Rc1 |
Moves only D54 plays
Same as D36 up to 3...d5, then:
- 4.Bg5 The bishop leaves c1 for g5, opening a line for the rook on a1 and the queen on d1, attacking the knight on f6.
- 4...Be7 The bishop leaves f8 for e7, opening a line for the rook on h8.
- 5.e3 The e-pawn advances to e3, covering d4 and f4, opening a line for the queen on d1 and the bishop on f1.
- 5...O-O Black castles kingside, opening a line for the queen on d8, guarding the pawn on g7.
- 6.Rc1 The rook goes from a1 to c1.
The road to D54
Three of the six named positions on the way are reached by a move order other than their own.
- 1.d4 … 3...d5four earlier stops: A40, A45, A50, D35
- 4.Bg5D50 Modern Variation by another order
- 4...Be7D53 Queen’s Gambit Declined by another order
- 6.Rc1D54
The position after 6.Rc1
White has brought out the knight on c3 and bishop on g5; Black the knight on f6 and bishop on e7. Black could capture with dxc4. Black is to move and has 29 legal moves.
Closest boards in other codes
| Code | Line | Differs on |
|---|---|---|
| D63 | Queen’s Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense, Main Line | four squares: g1, f3, d7, b8 |
| D60 | Queen’s Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense | six squares: a1, c1, g1, f3, d7, b8 |
| E46 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation | seven squares: a1, c1, b4, d5, g5, d7, e7 |
| E48 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Classical Defense | seven squares: a1, c1, f1, d3, b4, g5, e7 |
| E51 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Ragozin Variation | seven squares: a1, c1, g1, f3, b4, g5, e7 |
| D61 | Queen’s Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense, Rubinstein Variation | eight squares: a1, c1, d1, g1, c2, f3, d7, b8 |
| D64 | Queen’s Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense, Rubinstein Attack | eight squares: d1, g1, c2, f3, c6, c7, d7, b8 |