Blackburne Variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined

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The Queen’s Gambit Declined is the most popular way to fight the attempt by white to give up (gambit) his c4 pawn. It has been played by top masters since the 19th century, and it will never lose popularity due to its solidity, flexibility, and the amount of different options it gives to black. In this video I have covered the Blackburne Variation, one of the sharpest ways to fight the QGD!
By placing the bishop on f4 instead of g5, white changes the nature of the position significantly compared to regular variations. One of the main ideas of Bf4 instead of Bg5 is to avoid the early piece exchanges which occur after the Lasker or the Classical variations. The bishop is very strong, similar to a London system bishop. A clear advantage can be seen in comparison with the c8 bishop, which is stuck behind e6. The main drawback is seen in the main line with c5 for black. The bishop on g5 is exerting pressure on d5 indirectly. The f4 bishop isn't. Black is therefore able to open the position up much earlier.
Most lines of the Blackburne are crazy to say the least. Positions that occur are extremely sharp and lead to immense complications very early on.
It is an opening which you have to really know well if you want to play it. With both sides. It’s not for those afraid to enter complicated tactical positions in which every move matters.
#chess

[@Lord7979]

Man I was looking for a weapon instead of main lines QGD and this just tickles me as a good time. Thanks Stejpan, I would love to see you play this at some point in your road to GM

[@gregmorenz5441]

@13:30 "First of all if this pawn is taken, I believe you can just trap the Queen with rook to a1, so that doesn't work"
You can, but lichess's Stockfish 14+ NNUE at depth 40 still thinks that taking the pawn is the only move that doesn't lose the game (0.0 vs +2.9 for the second best move, Qa6). Black gets two pieces and a pawn for the Queen in it's principal variation... and apparently that/positional comp is enough.

[@michaelfortunato1860]

Why can't black play Qxa1 followed by bxc4?

[@DonaldSjervenE]

Ah yes chaos. Stuff like this seems useful against the 2100s. Or rather helps understand the 2100s. It's like they can't sit on a position. They have to do something. Like a street hustler. I can't yet hold 2100s in contempt the way I can 2000s but 2100s certainly can't handle chaos. Fun times.

[@storm7856]

5:10 c5
20:00 Nbd7
37:37 b6

[@lucase.crusader1196]

Amazing video as always! Please keep doing it, you're the best youtuber opening-wise.

[@lucase.crusader1196]

33:50. If Qd2 blocking then Bb4 wins the queen.

[@jaroslavpors6559]

Great video! Can you please recommend any book for this Bf4 line for white? Doesnt mind if it is not only about Bf4 line, I am looking for queen's gambit book dor white in general. Thanks a lot!

[@TheZmann16]

My fav video so far I play queens gambit lines with confidence now

[@fahad5593]

Sorry about that

[@venkatkishore2727]

@29:55 there is the c7 pawn hanging.
anyway ur vedio helped a lot

[@ryaghnaramansanthosh3140]

Hi mate,Will you resume your middle game and endgame series?

[@SonjaLang]

stjepan when is your twitch stream?

[@joshuafrancisco9450]

Queens indian opening next sir please 😅

[@josephdenson3323]

third

[@jimmykoh2602]

This variation is rather named "Classical variation", not quite "Blackburne"..

[@johncipolla8335]

most I can remember is the first 10 moves