QGD dark square bishop seems useless

I play Queen's Gambit and I often end up with an open b file and the dark square bishop shitting in his initial square (c1) keeping the rooks disconnected and being more of a burden that an asset. I waste some of my valuable blitz time to think how I can improve that situation, with no success, ending in a bad position with little time on my clock (making it even worse). Don't want to put him on b2, since will block the opened b file, nor on d2 where is just defending the c and e pawns and is prone to attacks from the black's Knights.

Actually, this is one of the very few situations where I end up in a worse position than my opponent (analysis says about equal, but it is an uncomfortable position for me). Usually, I lose either on time or because of blunders and not like this.

Thus, would appreciate some help on the following questions:

- Is usually the dark square bishop in QGD a weak piece?

- Is it a good strategy to try to exchange it?

- Are there any squares that that Bishop belongs?

- How can I develop it, without compromising the rest of my game?

In the QGD, the dark squared bishop often goes to g5, where it pins the f6 knight. Unless black keeps his bishop on e7, black often has to weaken his castled position to break the pin.

I see you usually play the Exchange variation. Why not try 4 Bg5 ?

Can't resist (or even wait) on taking on one of the opponent's central pawns. It feels like a small win. On the other hand, pawns are probably my weakest point and I don't fully understand how to exploit them. Therefore, I will try what you and DeirdreSkye say and develop the Bishop early. I mean what is the point of taking one of the black's central pawns, if I end up in positions that I don't feel comfortable with.

Thanks DeirdreSkye, will try your suggestions. I always like your posts.

could had been intentional (but wasn't)

and it works as good as sitting, if not better. Actually, I prefer it, since that Bishop shits my game.

In general exchanging the black squared bishop will make black's life easier in the Queen's Gambit declined. Which is one reason why the Lasker defence, line with Ne4, and typically Bg5xBe7, is playable for black. Also in  the carlsbad structure, c4 xd5, although exchanging the light square bishops is ideal for black, from the point of view of equalising, exchanging the black square bishops helps too. Exchanging one pair of bishops literally makes exploiting two bishops impossible, and black can often follow-up with easing exchange of remaining bishop for a knight, without too much damage.

The main exception is in Bg5 QGD, responding to h6, with BxN is possible, perhaps with the idea of getting b4 in quickly, after be7xB. Black will automatically have two bishops as compensation though.

Hi, in general, white's light squared B is stronger because it can participate in mating attacks. In the QGD, the dark squared B usually goes to f4 or g5. f4 is really for cheap tricks only, based on attacking c7. It can easily be swapped off by black playing Bd6. The strategic aim of the QGD for white is that white pressurizes d5 and also creates threats that make it difficult for black to develop the c8 bishop. Therefore on g5, the B is best placed, because it is attacking a knight that defends d5. This tends to tie black down to defence and relieving the pin by h6 and g5 can be very weakening for black, so in general it's usually best to retreat the B to h4 after h6. Very often it can be played to g3 and it can become very strong. But occasionally, white is happy to exchange the B for a knight, similarly to the French defence. This can especially be true if white is playing an exchange QGD.

I hope this will be of some use.

lol

I also had trouble getting my QB active with the QGD.  I began playing the Slav Defense for that reason.

yeah!

read my profile info

Well the next step is learning move 4...

I know 4 is a big number, but maybe you have a friend who can help you.

I learn them one move at a time too. It has its plus points.

 I put on my pants one leg at a time.

But I don't post online asking for help on how to get the 2nd leg in.

not clever and without any imagination tbh, but not everyone can be funny.

Anyway, others comprehended my question much better than you did and gave helpful answers. You might not be contributing by posting a meaningful answer, but you still contribute by helping in keeping the thread alive. Thanks!

I'm not usually a jerk, sorry about that.

I'm glad other people gave you useful answers. 

That's good. You can come out of the corner now.