Queen's Gambit Accepted

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.
Queen's Gambit Accepted
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 pd d7 e7 pd f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 pd d4 pl e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 d2 e2 pl f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4
ECO D20-D29
Parent Queens Gambit
Chessgames.com opening explorer

The Queen's Gambit Accepted, commonly abbreviated to QGA, is a chess opening characterized by the opening moves:

1. d4 d5
2. c4 dxc4

Black's capture of the white c-pawn may also occur one or two moves later, leading to a transposed position (an identical position reached through an alternative sequence of moves). If Black does not capture the pawn, this leads to the Queen's Gambit Declined. The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings classifies the Queen's Gambit Accepted under codes D20 to D29.

The Queen's Gambit is not a real gambit, since Black cannot count on keeping the extra pawn. White can force Black to give the pawn back by playing 3. Qa4+ Nc6 4. e3. This is not necessarily the best continuation for White, however; since this line will develop the queen prematurely, White usually plays more patiently (see Main variations below).

As Black's 2. ... dxc4 surrenders the centre early on in the game, White will try to seize space in the centre and use it to launch an attack on the black position. Black's game is not devoid of counterchances, however. If the White centre can be kept at bay, Black will try to weaken White's centre pawns, using that to gain an advantage in the ensuing endgame. Usually this will be done by playing ... c5 and ... cxd4 at some stage, and if White responds with an exd4 recapture White will have an isolated pawn on the d-file. Such positions give both players chances to win. If White tries to avoid getting an isolated pawn the centre will be liquidated and a fairly even game will ensue.

The Queen's Gambit Accepted is not the main line of play after 1. d4 d5 2. c4. It is the third most popular option, behind 2. ...e6 (the Queen's Gambit Declined) and 2. ... c6 (the Slav Defense). In both of these variations slow and subtle manoeuvres are necessary to complete development. White will try to exploit an advantage in space and development, while Black will defend the position and push for queenside counterplay.

[edit] Main variations

After 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4

  • 3. Nf3 leads to the main lines of the QGA. White ignores the pawn for the moment, develops a knight and prevents Black from striking at the centre with ... e5. The recovery of the pawn will usually be by means of e3 and Bxc4. White might turn this opening into a real gambit by 3.Nf3 Nf6 (a6 4.e4!?) 4.Nc3 a6 5.e4 though, allowing ...b5.
  • 3. e3 is another common move, particularly in club play. The move prepares immediate recovery of the pawn with the bishop. White may hope for a quick win with the trap 3. ... b5? 4. a4 c6 5. axb5 cxb5??, when 6. Qf3 wins a minor piece at the least. However, it also blocks in the bishop on c1.
  • 3. e4 is a newer line — actually a resurrected classical line — aggressively making a bid for central control which Black will try to undermine.
Wikibooks

[edit] Further reading