Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense

The Chigorin Defense to the Queen's gambit - introduced by Mikhail Chigorin - seeks to create a position where piece pressure challenges the white center. Black does not support d5 with another pawn, but instead concentrates on rapid development.

Pros:

• Black gets free piece play
• The white center comes under pressure
• Black often doubles the white pawns

Cons:

• The knight blocks the c-pawn
• White may conquer the center
• Black is often required to give up the two bishops