Chess Opening Tutorial : Queen's Gambit Declined - 4.Bg5

4.Bg5 c6 5.Nf3 dxc4

The position after 4.Bg5 c6 5.Nf3 dxc4 [ECO D44] is shown in the diagram. This leads to tactical play which may appear extraordinarily complicated the first time you see it. The main line is 6.e4 b5 7.e5 (7.a4 Bb4 8.e5 h6 9.exf6 hxg5 10.fxg7 Rg8) 7...h6 8.Bh4 (not 8.exf6 hxg5, when White can't recover the Pawn).

Now after 8...g5, White doesn't retreat the Bishop, but attacks with 9.Nxg5 (9.exf6 gxh4 10.Ne5 Qxf6) 9...hxg5 (if 9...Nd5 10.Nxf7 Qxh4 11.Nxh8 Bb4 and White is better) 10.Bxg5 Nbd7 (10...Be7 11.exf6 Bxf6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.g3).

The line is known as the Anti-Meran Gambit or the Botvinnik Variation. White can continue 11.g3 or 11.exf6.

Index: Chess Opening Tutorial : Queen's Gambit Declined - 4.Bg5

1. Introduction
2. Move orders e.g. 4.Nf3
3. 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4
4. 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.e3 h6 7.Bxf6 Bxf6
5. 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.e3 Nbd7
6. 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Rc1
7. 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.Nf3
8. 4.Bg5 c6 5.Nf3 h6
9. 4.Bg5 c6 5.Nf3 dxc4
10. 4.Bg5 c6 5.cxd5 exd5