The QGD – Chigorin Defence arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6. ECO code: D07.

Named after Mikhail Chigorin (1850–1908). Black develops the knight to c6, blocking the c-pawn but pressuring d4. The defence goes against classical principles (blocking the c-pawn) but has been revitalised by Alexander Morozevich and other modern players. It leads to unbalanced, fighting positions.