Chessy
Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, Main Line
The position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nf3 Bg4 is already a test of nerve for Black. Your bishop comes out early, but White is the one to move and can choose from several natural replies. The drill below helps you feel the difference between the main engine answer and the most common human continuations, so you can handle this line with a clear plan instead of guesswork.
Play the Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, Main Line against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill and practise the key replies as Black, then create a free account to track your progress.
Create a free account →What the engine wants you to do
Stockfish rates this +0.67, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse and need accurate play. The engine's best move here is cxd5, and the listed continuation is cxd5 Bxf3 gxf3 Qxd5. In this opening, that is the moment to understand the basic trade: if White opens the centre, you should know how your pieces fit together and what your bishop on g4 is doing for you.
What White usually chooses
Across 372,091 games at this exact position, White wins 51.6%, draws 3.9%, and Black wins 44.5%. The most played continuations are e3, Nc3, cxd5, h3, Ne5, and Bf4. That means you should expect a calm developing move most often, but you also need to be ready for immediate tension in the centre and for White to question the bishop on g4.
The replies to watch most closely
Two of the listed mistakes are especially useful for your training. h3 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns; the better move was cxd5. Ne5 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.5 pawns; again, cxd5 is the better choice. In practical terms, those are the moves where White tries to chase or jump at your bishop without first solving the position, and the drill will teach you how to meet that.
How this line should feel as Black
This opening asks you to stay active, not passive. You have developed a piece early and put pressure on the centre, but the numbers show that White still has the easier job. Your aim is to meet White's sensible developing moves without drifting into something loose, and to be especially alert when White starts taking in the centre. If you like positions where piece activity matters and you are willing to defend a slight disadvantage, this is a useful line to know.
Results across 372,091 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e3 | 137,232 | 52.4% |
| Nc3 | 93,003 | 51.3% |
| cxd5 | 58,626 | 55.9% |
| h3 | 17,765 | 44.2% |
| Ne5 | 14,868 | 48.8% |
| Bf4 | 13,506 | 48.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, Main Line good for Black?
It is playable, but the numbers here are not in your favour. Stockfish gives +0.67, which is a small edge for White, so you need to know the position well to stay comfortable.
What should Black play against the main engine reply?
The engine's best move here is cxd5. The continuation given is cxd5 Bxf3 gxf3 Qxd5, so the opening of the centre is the key theme to understand.
What are the most common White moves in this position?
The most played continuations are e3, Nc3, cxd5, h3, Ne5, and Bf4. In practice, that means you should prepare for calm development, central tension, and direct pressure on your bishop on g4.
Which White moves are known mistakes here?
h3 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns, with cxd5 listed as better. Ne5 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.5 pawns, and again cxd5 is the better move.
How many games feature the Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, Main Line?
Over 372K Lichess games have reached the Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, Main Line position. White wins 51.6%, Black wins 44.5%, with 3.9% draws — based on real rated games.