I am a 1750 Elo player with a very positional, quiet and strategic style of play.
I would like to know which variation I should play when, as White, I face the Queen's Gambit Declined.
The variation must meet these two conditions:
- On average it must tend to lead to positions which are as much solid, positional, slow, closed, quiet and strategic as possible (I want nothing sharp and tactical).
I should be able to play it both by beginning with 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 and by beginning with 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6
[fen "rnbqkb1r/ppp2ppp/4pn2/3p4/2PP4/5N2/PP2PPPP/RNBQKB1R w - - 1 0"]
I am hesitating between these three variations :
- The 5.Bf4 variation: 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4
- The 5.Bg5 variation: 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5
- The Catalan: 4. g3
5.Bg5
excludes Exchange variation, but you can still enter Classical defense/Tartakower...5.Bf4
is theoretical if I recall correctly, and too sharp for your taste in my opinion.