Ragozin Defence (...Bb4) is variation 4 of 6 in the Queen's Gambit Declined course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO D38). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Bb4 …. After 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 Black plays ...Bb4, pinning the c3 knight. In the 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 line Black gets the bishop pair and quick counterplay with ...dxc4 and ...c5. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre.
1... d5 – Black meets it head-on.
2. c4 – The Queen's Gambit.
2... e6 – Holds d5 and frees the f8 bishop.
3. Nc3 – Adds a second attacker to d5.
3... Nf6 – Develops and defends d5.
4. Nf3 – Develops the king's knight and covers e5.
4... Bb4 – The Ragozin: pins the c3 knight, increasing pressure on e4 and getting the bishop out actively.
5. Bg5 – Pins the f6 knight in return.
5... h6 – Asks the bishop to decide at once.
6. Bxf6 – White gives the bishop pair to avoid ...g5 lines and keep a simpler position.
6... Qxf6 – Recaptures with the queen; Black has the two bishops and the queen presses on d4 along the long diagonal.
7. e3 – Supports d4 and opens the f1 bishop.
7... O-O – Black castles before opening the centre.
8. Rc1 – Prepares to recapture on c4 with the bishop and puts the rook on the c-file.
8... dxc4 – Opens lines for the bishops: White has to spend a tempo recapturing.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM