Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...e6/3. Nc3/3...Nf6/4. Bg5/4...Nbd7

Queen's Gambit Declined rd bd qd kd bd rd pd pd pd nd pd pd pd pd nd pd bl pl pl nl pl pl pl pl pl pl rl ql kl bl nl rl D51 Queen's Gambit Declined Queen's Gambit Declined 4...Nbd7 With 4...Nbd7, black intends to play the Cambridge Springs Defense, which continues 5. Nf3 c6 6. e3 Qa5. The Cambridge Springs Defense is a solid line of the QGD and is often played both in the amateur level (because of the easier to understand theme) and the grandmaster level. This move also sets a trap that has ensnared quite a few players. White can continue 5. cxd5 exd5, resulting in a position that resembles the QGD Exchange variation (which is fine for both camps), as long as he/she doesn't play 6. Nxd5??. While it superficially appears to win a pawn (because the black knight is pinned), black can capture with his knight with 6... Nxd5!. Then after 7. Bxd8, white has not won black's queen because of 7... Bb4+!, where the only legal move is 8. Qd2, and black gets his/her queen back and emerges a minor piece ahead. Theory table . 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5 6 7 8 Cambridge Springs Defense Nf3c6 e3Qa5 cxd5Nxd5 Qd2Bb4 = cxd5exd5 e3c6 Qc2h6 Bh4Be7 = Elephant Trap ...... Nxd5??Nxd5! Bxd8Bb4+ Qd2Bxd2+ -+ References