Queen's Gambit Accepted: Alekhine Defense

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Accepted is a bold choice where Black captures the c4 pawn to challenge White's central control. In the Alekhine Defense, Black uses a6 to prepare a queenside expansion with b5, aiming to keep the extra pawn or secure strong piece activity while White tries to recover the material and dominate the center.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, the cornerstone of queen's pawn openings. By occupying the center, White invites a variety of responses, ranging from the solid d5 to the more flexible Nf6 or even the experimental Englund Gambit.

1... d5Black · your move

Move your pawn to d5 to meet White head-on. By mirroring White's move, you prevent them from grabbing more space and establish your own stake in the center.

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

2. c4White

White plays the Queen's Gambit with c4. This creates immediate tension. White could also choose the London System with Bf4 or the Chigorin Variation with Nc3, but c4 is the most ambitious and traditional continuation.

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 force White to spend time recovering the pawn while you focus on rapid development and queenside counterplay.

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 flexible and common response. This prevents Black's central break and keeps options open. White could also try e4 for a massive center or Qa4+ to win the pawn back immediately.

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... a6Black · your move

Push your pawn to a6. This is the hallmark of the Alekhine Defense, preparing to support a b5 thrust that will defend your c4 pawn and harass White's future bishop on c4.

Other paths here: Bg4 (QGA: 3.Nf3 Bg4) · Nd7 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Godes Variation) · c5 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Gunsberg Defense) · e6 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Rosenthal Variation)

Where you stand

The position is strategically rich. White will likely play e3 to recapture the c4 pawn, while Black prepares b5 to contest that bishop and develop the light-squared bishop to b7. White aims for central dominance and kingside pressure, while Black seeks to exploit the queenside pawn majority and create counter-pressure against White's center.

• f1-c4 Recapture the pawn and develop the bishop
• b7-b5 Defend c4 and expand on the queenside
• c8-b7 Fianchetto the bishop to pressure the center
• e1-g1 Castle kingside to secure the king