Chess Openings Lab
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Queen's Gambit Declined: Alapin Variation

The Alapin Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined is 1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.Nc3 d5, a QGD where Black has added ...b6 early. White exchanges on d5 for a Carlsbad structure and uses Ne5 and Bf4, while Black aims for ...Bb7 and ...Nf6 with solid development.

Moves
1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.Nc3 d5
ECO
D31
Engine
+0.58 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
163 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Take with 4.cxd5, the engine's top choice, to fix the Carlsbad structure and target c6.
  • Put the knight on e5 and the bishop on f4, as in the main line.
  • The weak c6 square invites Nb5 or Qa4 ideas later in the middlegame.
  • The fianchetto with g3 and Bg2 is a calm alternative that hits d5.

Black

  • Develop with ...Nf6, ...Be7 and ...O-O, keeping the d5 pawn solid and the king safe.
  • Use ...Bb7 to support d5 and look at the long diagonal toward g2.
  • Aim for ...c5 to free the game and challenge d4 before White's pieces settle.
  • Watch the c6 square; ...b6 weakened it, so avoid allowing a knight there.

Plans and pawn structure

After 4.cxd5 exd5, the Carlsbad structure appears: White has the c-file and minority attack ideas, while Black has kingside space. With ...b6 already played, the c6 square is weak and White's Ne5 and Bf4 aim at c6 and the queenside. Black plays ...Nf6, ...Be7, ...O-O and ...Bb7, then aims for ...c5 to free the position. White's plan is quick development and steady play against c6 and d5.

Where the engine's main line heads: Carlsbad structure (after cxd5 exd5). The Carlsbad structure, from cxd5 exd5: White has d4 and no c-pawn, Black has c6 or c7 and d5 and no e-pawn.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.58: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.58 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Ne5 Be7
  2. +0.58 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Ne5 Be7
  3. +0.35 4.g3 Nf6 5.Bg2 Bb7 6.Bg5 c6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

163 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.4%.

1200–159947.8%
1600–199951.6%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

As White, play 4.cxd5 and follow with Nf3, Ne5 and Bf4. As Black, complete development quickly and break with ...c5. Don't allow a knight to land on c6, which is a common problem after ...b6. Keep the c8 bishop flexible until the center settles.

Questions

What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Declined: Alapin Variation?

The Queen's Gambit Declined: Alapin Variation starts 1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.Nc3 d5. Its ECO code is D31.

Is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Alapin Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.58 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. A playable but slightly loosening setup for Black players who like fianchettoed bishops, while White gets clear targets in the Carlsbad structure.

What is the main idea of the Queen's Gambit Declined: Alapin Variation?

Black plays a QGD with an early ...b6, which helps the c8 bishop but weakens c6. White exchanges on d5 for a Carlsbad structure and uses Ne5 and Bf4 to pressure the queenside.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is cxd5, with Nf3 and g3 close behind. 4.cxd5 fixes the center as a Carlsbad structure and highlights the weak c6 square.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.