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1.Opening

Queen's Gambit

You play WhiteD36ClassicalIntermediate

The king of 1.d4 openings. c4 challenges Black's center from the side; the Exchange Variation has crystal-clear plans.

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 …

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Exchange Variation: position after 9 moves8a7b6c5d4e3f2g1h
Exchange Variation: position after 9 moves
2.Ideas

What the opening is about

Key ideas

  1. c4 attacks d5 — it's not a true gambit since Black can't keep the pawn.
  2. Exchange Variation creates the "Carlsbad" structure.
  3. Minority attack: push b4–b5 to create a weakness on c6.
  4. Bd3 + Qc2 aim at h7.
3.Line 1

Line 1 of 2 · 17 moves

Exchange Variation

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Your moves Opponent
No. White Black1
d4Claims the center. Unlike e4, the d4 pawn is already protected by the queen.
d5Black claims an equal share.
2
c4The Queen's Gambit: offers a pawn to pull d5 away from the center.
e6Queen's Gambit Declined: Black supports d5 solidly. The downside is that the c8 bishop is shut in.
3
Nc3Adds pressure on d5.
Nf6Defends d5 again.
After 3…Nf6
After 3…Nf6
No. White Black4
cxd5The Exchange Variation: release the tension to fix Black's pawn structure.
exd5Black recaptures with the pawn, which frees the c8 bishop.
5
Bg5Pins the f6 knight, one of d5's defenders.
c6Supports d5 and gives the queen access to b6 and a5.
6
e3Opens the f1 bishop and solidifies the center.
Be7Breaks the pin.
After 6…Be7
After 6…Be7
No. White Black7
Bd3The bishop's best diagonal: aims at h7 and stops ...Bf5.
Nbd7Develops and reinforces f6.
8
Qc2Doubles on the b1–h7 diagonal and prevents ...Bf5 trading bishops.
O-OBlack castles.
9
Nge2Flexible: keeps the f-pawn free for f3 and e4, or supports a kingside pawn storm.
After 9.Nge2
After 9.Nge2
4.Line 2

Line 2 of 2 · 17 moves

Orthodox Defense

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Your moves Opponent
No. White Black1
d4Claims the center.
d5Black claims an equal share.
2
c4Attacks d5 from the side.
e6Black solidly supports d5.
3
Nc3More pressure on d5.
Nf6Defends d5.
After 3…Nf6
After 3…Nf6
No. White Black4
Bg5Pins the knight to the queen, pressuring d5.
Be7Breaks the pin.
5
e3Solid; opens the f1 bishop.
O-OBlack castles.
6
Nf3Develops.
Nbd7Develops and supports a later ...c5 or ...e5.
After 6…Nbd7
After 6…Nbd7
No. White Black7
Rc1The rook prepares for the c-file to open.
c6Strengthens d5.
8
Bd3Develops to the best diagonal.
dxc4Black waits until White spends a move with the bishop, then takes on c4.
9
Bxc4White recaptures; Black has "won a tempo".
After 9.Bxc4
After 9.Bxc4
5.Play

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6.More

Articles about the Queen's Gambit

More 1.d4 openings