QGA: 3.Nf3 Bg4

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Accepted is a bold choice where Black captures on c4 to divert White's attention from the center. In this specific line, Black immediately challenges your kingside knight with the bishop, creating a sharp, tactical struggle where control of the d4-square and development speed are paramount.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4. This move claims the center and opens paths for your queen and dark-squared bishop. It is the foundation of many strategic openings, focusing on long-term control rather than immediate tactical skirmishes.

1... d5Black

Black replies d5, meeting d4 head-on. This is the most principled response, though you might also encounter the King's Indian setup with Nf6 or the Dutch Defense with f5. Now the central tension is established.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White · your move

Push your pawn to c4. This is the Queen's Gambit. You are offering a pawn to lure Black's d-pawn away from the center, which will eventually allow you to build a powerful pawn duo with e4.

Other paths here: Qd3 (Amazon Attack) · e4 (Blackmar-Diemer Gambit) · e3 (Queen's Pawn Game) · Bf4 (Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System)

2... dxc4Black

Black plays dxc4, entering the Queen's Gambit Accepted. While it looks like Black is winning a pawn, White usually regains it easily. Other common choices here include the solid e6 or the Chigorin Defense with Nc6.

Other paths here: c5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Austrian Defense) · Bf5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Baltic Defense) · Nf6 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Marshall Defense) · b5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Zilbermints Gambit)

3. Nf3White · your move

Develop your knight to f3. This is a flexible and strong move that prevents Black from playing e5 and prepares for kingside castling. It keeps your options open while you prepare to recapture the c4-pawn.

Other paths here: Nc3 (QGA: 3.Nc3) · Qa4+ (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Accelerated Mannheim Variation) · e3 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation) · e4 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Saduleto Variation)

3... Bg4Black

Black replies Bg4, a provocative move that puts immediate pressure on the knight. This is a sharp alternative to the more standard a6 or e6. White now has to decide whether to ignore the pin or challenge the bishop immediately.

Other paths here: Nd7 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Godes Variation) · c5 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Gunsberg Defense) · e6 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Rosenthal Variation) · b5 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Slav Gambit)

Where you stand

The position is strategically rich. White will likely use the knight on f3 to jump to e5 or develop the queenside with Nc3 to regain the c4-pawn. Black aims to disrupt White's coordination by trading the bishop for the knight or applying pressure to d4. Both sides must balance their development with the tactical threats around the center.

• f3-e5 Jump the knight to the central e5-square
• b1-c3 Develop the knight to pressure c4 and d5
• g4-f3 Trade the bishop to weaken White's center
• e2-e4 Push e4 to dominate the center