Answers.Body: <p>I think this is the game you mean, and it was on move 7. Qa4+, and Nc6 saves the bishop. Qa4 is a well-known line, and the second most popular move after 7. e3.</p>
  
  <p>This is a black defense to the QGD called the Ragozin Defense. It is considered a very active defense, and black gives away certain positional aspects in exchange for piece activity.</p>
  
  <p>Here are a few books on this defense.</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/9056913700" rel="noreferrer" rel="nofollow noreferrer">"The Ragozin Complex"</a> by GM Vladimir Barsky.</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&amp;rh=p_27%3AMatthieu%20Cornette&amp;s=relevancerank&amp;text=Matthieu%20Cornette&amp;ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1" rel="noreferrer">"The Complete Ragozin"</a> by GM Matthieu Cornette</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/1784830305" rel="noreferrer" rel="nofollow noreferrer">"Playing the Ragozin"</a> by IM Richard Pert</p>
  
  <p>By the way, a move is considered one for white and for black, so 1.d4 Nf6 is one move.</p>
  
  <pre><code> [Event "Biel GM 51st"]
   [Site "Biel"]
   [Date "2018.07.22"]
   [Round "1"]
   [White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
   [Black "Navara, David"]
   [Result "1-0"]
   [ECO "D38"]
   [WhiteElo "2842"]
   [BlackElo "2741"]
   [Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
   [PlyCount "127"]
   [EventDate "2018.07.22"]
   [EventType "tourn"]
   [EventRounds "10"]
   [EventCountry "SUI"]
   [EventCategory "20"]
   [FEN ""]
  
   1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Bg5 Bb4+ 5. Nc3 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 (7. Qa4+ Nc6 {And the Bb4 is protected} 8. Ne5 $2 {This is just bad, and is pushing for something that just is not there} Bd7 9. Nxd7 (9. Nxc6 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Bxc6 11. Qb3 O-O $17 {And with better development, and pressure on g2, black is just better.} 12. c5 $6 b6) 9... Qxd4 $1 {Threatening Bxc3+ winning.} 10. Qc2 Qxc4 11. e3 Qg4 12. Bb5 Kxd7 {And white does not have enough for the two pawns.}) 7... O-O 8. Rc1 dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. dxc5 Nd7 11. O-O Nxc5 12. Nb5 a6 13. Nbd4 b5 14. Be2 e5 15. Nc2 Rd8 16. Nxb4 Rxd1 17. Rfxd1 a5 18. Nd5 Qd6 19. Nxe5 Bb7 20. Bf3 Rc8 21. Ng4 Qf8 22. h4 Nd7 23. Rxc8 Bxc8 24. a3 h5 25. Nh2 g6 26. Be2 Ne5 27. Bxb5 Bb7 28. Nc3 Qe7 29. Rd4 Qe6 30. Nf1 Qb3 31. Rd2 Nc4 32. Rd7 Nxb2 33. Rxb7 Qxc3 34. Be8 Kf8 35. Bxf7 Qc6 36. Rxb2 Kxf7 37. Rd2 Qa4 38. Rd3 Qxh4 39. Rd7+ Kg8 40. Rd4 Qe7 41. a4 Qa3 42. g3 Qa1 43. Kg2 g5 44. Nd2 g4 45. Ne4 Qc1 46. Nf6+ Kf7 47. Nxh5 Qc6+ 48. Kg1 Qc1+ 49. Kh2 Kg6 50. Nf4+ Kf6 51. Ng2 Kg5 52. Rf4 Qd1 53. Nh4 Qc2 54. Nf5 Qd3 55. e4 Qd7 56. e5 Qh7+ 57. Kg1 Qg6 58. Nd6 Qe6 59. Rf5+ Qxf5 60. Nxf5 Kxf5 61. f4 gxf3 62. Kf2 Kxe5 63. Kxf3 Kf5 64. Ke3 1-0
  </code></pre>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-03-24T14:29:59.857Z
Answers.Text: Sorry it was move 7 Yes I got it
Answers.UserDisplayName: kedar sedai
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-03-24T14:46:46.070Z
Answers.Text: @kedarsedai I added a little more analysis for you in case white, incorrectly, tries to press the issue with Ne5.
Answers.UserDisplayName: PhishMaster
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-03-24T14:25:53.960Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-03-24T14:44:38.227Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2020-03-24T14:44:38.227Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: PhishMaster
Answers.Body: <p>I guess you mean the game below and at the 7th-move: <code>7.Qa4+</code> doesn't win the bishop because black can reply with <code>Nc6</code> blocking the check and defending the bishop.</p>
  
  <pre><code> [title "Biel, Carlsen vs Navara 2018"]
   [fen ""]
   [startply "12"]
  
   1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.Bg5 Bb4+ 5.Nc3 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 (7.Qa4+ Nc6) O-O 8.Rc1 dxc4 9.Bxc4 c5 10.dxc5 Nd7 11.O-O Nxc5 12.Nb5 a6 13.Nbd4 b5 14.Be2 e5 15.Nc2 Rd8 16.Nxb4 Rxd1 17.Rfxd1 a5 18.Nd5 Qd6 19.Nxe5 Bb7 20.Bf3 Rc8 21.Ng4 Qf8 22.h4 Nd7 23.Rxc8 Bxc8 24.a3 h5 25.Nh2 g6 26.Be2 Ne5 27.Bxb5 Bb7 28.Nc3 Qe7 29.Rd4 Qe6 30.Nf1 Qb3 31.Rd2 Nc4 32.Rd7 Nxb2 33.Rxb7 Qxc3 34.Be8 Kf8 35.Bxf7 Qc6 36.Rxb2 Kxf7 37.Rd2 Qa4 38.Rd3 Qxh4 39.Rd7+ Kg8 40.Rd4 Qe7 41.a4 Qa3 42.g3 Qa1 43.Kg2 g5 44.Nd2 g4 45.Ne4 Qc1 46.Nf6+ Kf7 47.Nxh5 Qc6+ 48.Kg1 Qc1+ 49.Kh2 Kg6 50.Nf4+ Kf6 51.Ng2 Kg5 52.Rf4 Qd1 53.Nh4 Qc2 54.Nf5 Qd3 55.e4 Qd7 56.e5 Qh7+ 57.Kg1 Qg6 58.Nd6 Qe6 59.Rf5+ Qxf5 60.Nxf5 Kxf5 61.f4 gxf3 62.Kf2 Kxe5 63.Kxf3 Kf5 64.Ke3 1-0
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>In case white tries to further pressurise the knight on <code>c6</code> after <code>7.Qa4+ Nc6,</code> with e.g. <code>8.Ne5</code> black always has the option of taking on <code>c3</code> first with check and then reacting to <code>Ne5</code> with <code>Bd7.</code></p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-03-24T14:31:07.420Z
Answers.Text: Sorry It was on move 7  I didn`t saw Nc6  yes got it thank you
Answers.UserDisplayName: kedar sedai
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-03-24T14:26:39.003Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-03-24T14:26:39.003Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ellie
Body: <p>In the game of <a href="https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1926025" rel="noreferrer"><code>Carlsen</code> vs <code>Navara</code> <strong>Biel Chess 2018,</strong></a> on move <code>7</code> why did <code>Carlsen</code> play <code>e3</code> instead of playing <code>Qa4+</code> and taking that hanging <code>bishop</code>? </p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-03-24T14:30:01.770Z
Comments.Text: Welcome to chess SE! When you have a question about a specific game, please consider providing either the sequence of moves leading to the moment of interest, a reference link to the game, or simply using the [built-in diagram viewer](https://chess.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/179/how-do-i-add-a-replayer-to-my-post) to post the game as part of your question.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Ellie
Tags: <opening><analysis><queens-gambit-declined><ragozin-defense>
Title: Why not 7.Qa4+ in Carlsen vs Navara QGD
ThreadText: # Why not 7.Qa4+ in Carlsen vs Navara QGD
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2020-03-24)
  
  In the game of [`Carlsen` vs `Navara` **Biel Chess 2018,**](https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1926025) on move `7` why did `Carlsen` play `e3` instead of playing `Qa4+` and taking that hanging `bishop`?
  
  **Tags:** opening, analysis, queens-gambit-declined, ragozin-defense
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: Welcome to chess SE! When you have a question about a specific game, please consider providing either the sequence of moves leading to the moment of interest, a reference link to the game, or simply using the [built-in diagram viewer](https://chess.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/179/how-do-i-add-a-replayer-to-my-post) to post the game as part of your question.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 2 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2020-03-24. Score: 4 | Accepted answer
  
  I guess you mean the game below and at the 7th-move: `7.Qa4+` doesn't win the bishop because black can reply with `Nc6` blocking the check and defending the bishop.
  
  ```
   [title "Biel, Carlsen vs Navara 2018"]
   [fen ""]
   [startply "12"]
  
   1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.Bg5 Bb4+ 5.Nc3 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 (7.Qa4+ Nc6) O-O 8.Rc1 dxc4 9.Bxc4 c5 10.dxc5 Nd7 11.O-O Nxc5 12.Nb5 a6 13.Nbd4 b5 14.Be2 e5 15.Nc2 Rd8 16.Nxb4 Rxd1 17.Rfxd1 a5 18.Nd5 Qd6 19.Nxe5 Bb7 20.Bf3 Rc8 21.Ng4 Qf8 22.h4 Nd7 23.Rxc8 Bxc8 24.a3 h5 25.Nh2 g6 26.Be2 Ne5 27.Bxb5 Bb7 28.Nc3 Qe7 29.Rd4 Qe6 30.Nf1 Qb3 31.Rd2 Nc4 32.Rd7 Nxb2 33.Rxb7 Qxc3 34.Be8 Kf8 35.Bxf7 Qc6 36.Rxb2 Kxf7 37.Rd2 Qa4 38.Rd3 Qxh4 39.Rd7+ Kg8 40.Rd4 Qe7 41.a4 Qa3 42.g3 Qa1 43.Kg2 g5 44.Nd2 g4 45.Ne4 Qc1 46.Nf6+ Kf7 47.Nxh5 Qc6+ 48.Kg1 Qc1+ 49.Kh2 Kg6 50.Nf4+ Kf6 51.Ng2 Kg5 52.Rf4 Qd1 53.Nh4 Qc2 54.Nf5 Qd3 55.e4 Qd7 56.e5 Qh7+ 57.Kg1 Qg6 58.Nd6 Qe6 59.Rf5+ Qxf5 60.Nxf5 Kxf5 61.f4 gxf3 62.Kf2 Kxe5 63.Kxf3 Kf5 64.Ke3 1-0
  
  ```
  
  In case white tries to further pressurise the knight on `c6` after `7.Qa4+ Nc6,` with e.g. `8.Ne5` black always has the option of taking on `c3` first with check and then reacting to `Ne5` with `Bd7.`
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Sorry It was on move 7  I didn`t saw Nc6  yes got it thank you  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2020-03-24. Score: 3
  
  I think this is the game you mean, and it was on move 7. Qa4+, and Nc6 saves the bishop. Qa4 is a well-known line, and the second most popular move after 7. e3.
  
  This is a black defense to the QGD called the Ragozin Defense. It is considered a very active defense, and black gives away certain positional aspects in exchange for piece activity.
  
  Here are a few books on this defense.
  
  ["The Ragozin Complex"](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/9056913700) by GM Vladimir Barsky.
  
  ["The Complete Ragozin"](https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AMatthieu%20Cornette&s=relevancerank&text=Matthieu%20Cornette&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1) by GM Matthieu Cornette
  
  ["Playing the Ragozin"](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/1784830305) by IM Richard Pert
  
  By the way, a move is considered one for white and for black, so 1.d4 Nf6 is one move.
  
  ```
   [Event "Biel GM 51st"]
   [Site "Biel"]
   [Date "2018.07.22"]
   [Round "1"]
   [White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
   [Black "Navara, David"]
   [Result "1-0"]
   [ECO "D38"]
   [WhiteElo "2842"]
   [BlackElo "2741"]
   [Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
   [PlyCount "127"]
   [EventDate "2018.07.22"]
   [EventType "tourn"]
   [EventRounds "10"]
   [EventCountry "SUI"]
   [EventCategory "20"]
   [FEN ""]
  
   1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Bg5 Bb4+ 5. Nc3 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 (7. Qa4+ Nc6 {And the Bb4 is protected} 8. Ne5 $2 {This is just bad, and is pushing for something that just is not there} Bd7 9. Nxd7 (9. Nxc6 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Bxc6 11. Qb3 O-O $17 {And with better development, and pressure on g2, black is just better.} 12. c5 $6 b6) 9... Qxd4 $1 {Threatening Bxc3+ winning.} 10. Qc2 Qxc4 11. e3 Qg4 12. Bb5 Kxd7 {And white does not have enough for the two pawns.}) 7... O-O 8. Rc1 dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. dxc5 Nd7 11. O-O Nxc5 12. Nb5 a6 13. Nbd4 b5 14. Be2 e5 15. Nc2 Rd8 16. Nxb4 Rxd1 17. Rfxd1 a5 18. Nd5 Qd6 19. Nxe5 Bb7 20. Bf3 Rc8 21. Ng4 Qf8 22. h4 Nd7 23. Rxc8 Bxc8 24. a3 h5 25. Nh2 g6 26. Be2 Ne5 27. Bxb5 Bb7 28. Nc3 Qe7 29. Rd4 Qe6 30. Nf1 Qb3 31. Rd2 Nc4 32. Rd7 Nxb2 33. Rxb7 Qxc3 34. Be8 Kf8 35. Bxf7 Qc6 36. Rxb2 Kxf7 37. Rd2 Qa4 38. Rd3 Qxh4 39. Rd7+ Kg8 40. Rd4 Qe7 41. a4 Qa3 42. g3 Qa1 43. Kg2 g5 44. Nd2 g4 45. Ne4 Qc1 46. Nf6+ Kf7 47. Nxh5 Qc6+ 48. Kg1 Qc1+ 49. Kh2 Kg6 50. Nf4+ Kf6 51. Ng2 Kg5 52. Rf4 Qd1 53. Nh4 Qc2 54. Nf5 Qd3 55. e4 Qd7 56. e5 Qh7+ 57. Kg1 Qg6 58. Nd6 Qe6 59. Rf5+ Qxf5 60. Nxf5 Kxf5 61. f4 gxf3 62. Kf2 Kxe5 63. Kxf3 Kf5 64. Ke3 1-0
  
  ```
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Sorry it was move 7 Yes I got it  
  > **username_2**: @username_0 I added a little more analysis for you in case white, incorrectly, tries to press the issue with Ne5.  
  
  ---
  
  