QGD Orthodox (4.Bg5) is variation 1 of 6 in the Queen's Gambit course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO D63). It runs 25 moves and begins 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 …. The classical main line: White pins the f6 knight and develops with Rc1 and Bd3. Black frees the position with Capablanca's ...dxc4, ...Nd5 and ...e5 manoeuvre, and White keeps a small, lasting edge in space. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – Takes the centre and opens the c1 bishop.
1... d5 – Black claims an equal share of the centre.
2. c4 – The Queen's Gambit: the c-pawn attacks d5 to lure it away from the centre.
2... e6 – Declines the gambit by supporting d5 with a pawn, but it shuts in the c8 bishop.
3. Nc3 – Develops and adds a third attacker to d5.
3... Nf6 – Develops and defends d5 again.
4. Bg5 – Pins the f6 knight to the queen, so it is less effective at defending d5.
4... Be7 – Breaks the pin so Black can castle.
5. e3 – Supports d4 and opens the f1 bishop.
5... O-O – Black castles before deciding on the central plan.
6. Nf3 – Develops and controls e5.
6... Nbd7 – Supports a later ...c5 or ...e5 and keeps the f6 knight protected.
7. Rc1 – The rook goes to the c-file, where the c-pawns will be exchanged sooner or later; it also prepares cxd5 with pressure on c7.
7... c6 – Solidifies d5 and prepares ...dxc4 followed by ...Nd5.
8. Bd3 – Develops toward the kingside. White wants Black to take on c4 first, so the bishop recaptures in one move.
8... dxc4 – Black gives up the centre at the best moment, gaining a tempo on the bishop.
The lesson goes on for 9 more moves, each with its explanation.
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