Queen's Gambit Accepted: Gunsberg Defense

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Accepted is a bold choice where Black captures the c4 pawn to disrupt White's center. In the Gunsberg Defense, Black immediately counter-attacks the d4-square with a quick c5 strike. This creates an open, tactical battle where both sides fight for central control and rapid piece activity.

1. d4White

White plays d4, the most common alternative to e4. By occupying the center, White prepares to develop the queenside pieces. You have many ways to respond, including the flexible Nf6 or the solid e6, but the most direct challenge is to mirror White's move.

1... d5Black · your move

Move your pawn to d5 to meet White's central claim head-on. This move prevents White from playing e4 easily and prepares your own development. It is the most principled way to fight for an equal share of the center from the very start.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, the signature move of the Queen's Gambit. White is not really losing a pawn here but rather trading a wing pawn for a central one. You could defend with e6 (the Declined) or c6 (the Slav), but capturing is the most ambitious path.

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 · your move

Capture the pawn on c4. By accepting the gambit, you temporarily go a pawn up and lure White's light-squared bishop away from its defensive duties. You aren't trying to keep this pawn forever; you are aiming for active piece play and a free position.

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

White plays Nf3, the most popular way to handle the accepted gambit. By delaying e3 or e4, White keeps their options open. Other aggressive tries include e4 (the Saduleto) or the immediate recovery of the pawn with e3, but Nf3 is the most solid and positional choice.

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... c5Black · your move

Push your pawn to c5 to strike back at the center immediately. This is the hallmark of the Gunsberg Defense. You are challenging White's d4 pawn and opening lines for your queen, ensuring that White cannot simply dominate the middle of the board without a fight.

Other paths here: Bg4 (QGA: 3.Nf3 Bg4) · Nd7 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Godes Variation) · e6 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Rosenthal Variation) · b5 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Slav Gambit)

Where you stand

The position is wide open and full of dynamic possibilities. White will likely develop the queenside knight to c3 and look to regain the c4 pawn, while Black should focus on kingside development with Nf6 and e6. The central tension between the d4 and c5 pawns will dictate the pace of the game, leading to an early struggle for the initiative.

• b1-c3 Develop the knight to pressure d5
• g8-f6 Develop the knight and prepare castling
• e2-e3 Prepare to recapture the c4 pawn
• e7-e6 Open lines for the dark-squared bishop
• d4-d5 Push forward to gain central space