https://www.chess.com/lessons/the-complete-queens-gambit-declined
What do I do in the Queen's Gambit Declined (as black) ?
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Aug 30, 2020
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#2
The light square bishop deserves special attention as it is often blocked by your own pawns if cxd5 exd5 does not occur. You may fianchetto and dxc4 to make your bishop active on the long diagonal.
If the pawn exchange occurs, you usually put pawn on c6. Bf5 is a good way to develop the bishop as it can exchange white's good bishop on d3 or c2 which is very active. Also, the "Carlsbad structure" often occurs after the exchange. In this pawn structure, you have to be aware of white's common intentions such as the minority attack and central expansion with f3 and e4 (if they do not have a knight blocking the f-pawn). There should be resources on youtube and chess.com. Black may try for initiative on the kingside.
If the exchange does not occur, c5 is an idea for black to attack white's centre and gain more activity for black. The light square bishop may want to fianchetto. (sorry this paragraph is a little short)
To sum up, you have to develop normally, specifically the light squared bishop should become active or exchanged, defend against white's common plans, neutralize white's first move initiative and then try to take the initiative. QGD is not an aggressive opening for black, so be patient and do not rush to push pawns which creates weaknesses in the pawn structure and may be harmful.
I rather you play c3 more than e3
You can play some Nimzo-Indian type of stuff by placing your bishop at b4.
When people play the Queen's Gambit on me, I usually don't really know what to play after d4 d5 c4 e6 Nc3 Nf6. Is there anything better to do than just developing and castling? (i'm a 1400 btw)