Chess Openings Lab
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Queen's Gambit Declined: Vienna Variation

The Vienna Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined starts with 4...Bb4+ against the early Bg5. White must choose how to block the check, and Black looks for ...h6, ...c5 and active pieces against the d4 pawn.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Bg5 Bb4+
ECO
D30
Engine
+0.17 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
510 games in our lichess sample
White scores
54.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Block with 5.Nc3, the natural move: it develops and keeps pressure on d5 and e4.
  • After ...h6 take on f6 and continue with e3 and Rc1, aiming at the c-file once ...cxd4 opens it.
  • 5.Bd2 offers a bishop trade and calm play, while 5.Nbd2 lets Black grab c4 with tempo.
  • Keep the king safe before opening lines; Black's pieces get active quickly in this line.

Black

  • Ask the bishop with ...h6 right away; after Bxf6 Qxf6 the queen is active on the kingside.
  • Strike with ...c5 to attack d4 and open the c-file for the rooks.
  • Against 5.Nbd2, take on c4 and answer a3 with ...Bxd2+, then castle and use ...h6.
  • Keep the bishop on b4 pinning c3 as long as it creates problems for e4 ideas.

Plans and pawn structure

After 5.Nc3 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 Black has the two bishops and quick development, while White has central control and a lead in space. White plays e3 and Rc1, then looks to open the c-file after ...cxd4. Black wants to free the c8 bishop, finish development and use the bishop pair once lines open. If the d5 pawn becomes isolated after a central trade, White targets it, while Black uses the open lines around it.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.17: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.17 5.Nc3 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 c5
  2. −0.06 5.Bd2 Be7 6.e3 O-O 7.Nc3 c5
  3. −0.21 5.Nbd2 dxc4 6.a3 Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2 O-O

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

510 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.8%.

under 120055.0%
1200–159958.7%
1600–199957.0%
2000 and up46.9%

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

How to play against it

As White, block with 5.Nc3 and do not be afraid to take on f6 after ...h6. Then play e3 and Rc1. Avoid 5.Nbd2 unless you know the line, because after ...dxc4 and a3 Black trades on d2 and keeps the pawn longer than you'd like.

Questions

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

The Queen's Gambit Declined: Vienna Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Bg5 Bb4+. Its ECO code is D30.

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

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.17 at depth 20, which is level. In 510 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.8%. A good fit for Black players who enjoy the bishop pair and open lines, while White must play precisely around the c-file.

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

Black checks on b4 to force an early decision from White and then uses ...h6 and ...c5 for active play. White usually blocks with Nc3, takes on f6, and plays e3 and Rc1.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nc3, with Bd2 and Nbd2 close behind. 5.Nc3 blocks the check with a developing move and keeps the center well covered.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.