Okay, my last post was sort of contradictory because I talked about the super-gm games and the statistics they generate and then I went on to recommend the study of a bunch of Kasparov games! sorry about that! lol. Anyway, I know a guy at my club who is very sharp tactically and he plays the Sicilian Dragon vs. e4 and guess what...the QGD vs. d4 and man he comes down hard on those unwary d4 players. Good Luck with QGD.

Of course no opening is foolproof.

Openings just happen to be independent of the result in a chess game since there are many paths and blunders for players to choose from.

The simple answer seems to be that the QGD isn't actually scoring that poorly.

Where are you getting those percentages?

I'm not sure what your database is like, but by using Bigbase 2006 (updated with TWIC every week) Black appears fine.
Not as good as in the Nimzo, but certainly not 65%-70% for White in the standard lines.

After 1.d4 d5  2.c4 e6  3.Nc3 Ng6  4.Nf3 Be7  5.Bg5  (or whatever move order you like to reach here):

5...h6    gives White 54%  (a.k.a. 'standard').

In particular, the Tartakower scores better than standard (as you mentioned), but even the much maligned Lasker's yields only 57% which is far far away from 65-70%. 

The Orthodox/Capablanca lines (i.e. lines with ...Nbd7 and no ...h6) all yield around 60% historically.

During the past 5 years the number of draws is increasing and white wins are down
From the usual 5.Bg5, I show White scoring 59% (and after 5...h6 white scores 57%).
5.Bf4 scores a hefty 65% ... however, after a quick ...c5 the percentages are all down under 60%

The lines with Bxf6 are 55% historically but have been scoring better in the past few years (mostly due to rating discrepancy).
Alatorsev (3...Be7) is giving 58% in the past 5 years, etc. etc.

Anyway, I hope this helps.  Of course, never forget that statistics lie.

The truth is that the QGD is super solid, has a terrific pedigree, and is in no danger of giving up 65%-70% to White in its mainlines.
Don't believe the Hype. 
Now go play the Nimzo and enjoy nearly 51%.   

Cheers.

Yes I would imagine semi-slav Meran type positions have a larger percentage of wins and losses for Black, whereas classical QGD systems have a larger percentage of draws, but that is not to say they are boring! I used to think that for years, but look at the great World Championship  matches in this opening

statistics! Dont be fooled QGD is a great opening, scores great for Black if you play it properly!

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering why the venerable QGD, often referred to as rock solid, shows such dismal statistics for black in nearly every line.  Often, black doesn't even win 15% of the games and white scores 65-70% no matter which line he chooses.  In some cases the numbers are even worse than this.  These stats seem to hold for everything except the Tartakower variation, which white can easily avoid.  I realize stats don't mean everything, but I've never seen a major opening score so poorly across the board.  Does anyone have an explanation for this? 

Thanks,
Scott