Chess OpensOpen the trainer
OpeningsExtensionBlogSupportOpen the trainer
1.Opening

Queen's Gambit Accepted

You play BlackD27ClassicalIntermediate

Take the pawn — then give it back on Black's terms. Free development and a clear plan with ...c5.

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 …

Learn it interactivelyPractice from memory
Classical Variation: position after 10 moves1h2g3f4e5d6c7b8a
Classical Variation: position after 10 moves
2.Ideas

What the opening is about

Key ideas

  1. Black takes on c4 but doesn't try to keep it.
  2. Use the time White spends recapturing to develop and strike with ...c5.
  3. Often leads to White getting an isolated d-pawn (IQP) — blockade it on d5.
3.Main line

Main line · 20 moves

Classical Variation

Practice this line →
Your moves Opponent
No. White Black1
d4White claims the center. The d4 pawn is already protected by the queen.
d5Black claims an equal share and physically stops e4.
2
c4The Queen's Gambit: White attacks d5 from the side to pull it away from the center.
dxc4Black accepts — not to keep the pawn, but to free the position and make White spend time winning it back.
3
Nf3Develops and stops ...e5, Black's easiest freeing move.
Nf6Develops and controls e4.
After 3…Nf6
After 3…Nf6
No. White Black4
e3Opens the f1 bishop to recapture on c4.
e6Opens the f8 bishop. Black's c8 bishop will come out later via b7.
5
Bxc4White wins the pawn back.
c5The key move: Black strikes at d4 and frees the position.
6
O-OWhite castles.
a6Prepares ...b5 with tempo on the c4 bishop, and ...Bb7.
After 6…a6
After 6…a6
No. White Black7
a4Stops ...b5, but gives Black the b4 square.
Nc6Develops and adds pressure on d4.
8
Qe2Prepares Rd1 to back up the d-pawn.
cxd4Black trades on d4.
9
Rd1The rook lands on the d-file to win back d4 and support the pawn afterward.
Be7Prepares to castle.
After 9…Be7
After 9…Be7
No. White Black10
exd4White recaptures with an isolated d-pawn: more space now, but a target later.
O-OBlack castles. Plan: blockade the d4 pawn with a knight on d5.
After 10…O-O
After 10…O-O
4.Play

Practice mode

Now play it without looking.

Practice mode hides the moves: you play Black, the trainer answers, and you earn up to three stars per line. 20 moves across 1 line.

Start practicing
5.More

More defenses against 1.d4