Declining the 'Queen's gambit' is a classical defence and has been one of the most popular responses to white's C4 pawn push on move two since the development of chess. Declining the gambit is more common than accepting it, and for good reason. Declining white's pawn is a sound defence offering both sides interesting possibilities and it can be played from beginner all the way to expert. In fact, in the 1927 World Chess Championship, the 'Queen’s gambit declined' was played in 32 out of 34 games and is still a frequent response at the most elite levels of chess to this very day.
Queen's gambit declined - Introduction
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Queen's gambit declined - Orthodox variation
When the 'Queen's gambit declined' is mentioned, it is usually assumed to be referring to the 'Orthodox defence'; it is the most common way to refute white's C4 pawn push. The name 'Orthodox defence' was first coined by Siegbert Tarrasch, it was his way to convey his contempt for the timidness of the continuation, as contrasted to his 'Tarrasch defence' which he viewed as significantly superior. The orthodox defence is still the most common way to refute white's C4 pawn push, it was coined by Siegbert Tarrasch as an insult to its slow and boring nature.
Queen's gambit declined - Orthodox variation
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Queen's gambit declined - Tarrasch defence
The Tarrasch defence is named after Siegbert Tarrasch one of the best four players in the world for about 20 years in the lathe 19th and early 20th century. Not only does he have a variation of the Queen's gambit declined named after him, he even coined the phrase Orthodox variation for the mainline of the Queen's gambit declined. He did this out of spite for the timidness of the mainline, he firmly believed that despite the fact that his variation though often resulted in an isolated queen's pawn for black was far more aggressive and Interesting than the mainline. Because Tarrasch valued piece mobility over all else, the Tarrasch defence is an opening more suited for aggressive players, who prefer to avoid endgames, and are looking for middle game checkmates.
Queen's gambit declined - Tarrasch defence
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Queen's gambit declined - Elephant trap
The elephant trap get's its name from Chaturanga, the ancient game which originated in India and is the predecessor to chess. In this ancient variant there was no bishop, however there was a piece known as the alfil, which later became the bishop when the game was adopted in Europe. The original alifil or elephant was a piece which could move on diagonals much like the modern day bishop.
