Queen's Gambit Accepted: Alekhine Defense, Alatortsev Variation

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Accepted is a bold way to fight for the center by temporarily giving up a pawn. In the Alatortsev Variation, Black uses an early a6 and Bg4 to restrain White's central ambitions. You'll focus on dynamic piece play and challenging White's center before they can solidify their space advantage.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, a solid move that controls the e5-square and prepares for a central battle. As Black, you have many ways to respond, including the flexible e6 (Horwitz Defense) or the aggressive e5 (Englund Gambit), but the most classical and reliable reply is to match White's central presence.

1... d5Black · your move

Move your pawn to d5. By mirroring White's move, you prevent them from occupying the center with a second pawn on e4. This creates a balanced starting point where both sides fight for central control and space for their minor pieces.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, the Queen's Gambit. They are challenging your d5-pawn immediately. While White could try the London System with Bf4 or the Chigorin with Nc3, the gambit is the most testing. You must now decide whether to hold the center or capture the pawn and play for active piece development.

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 clear the d5-square for your other pieces. Your goal isn't necessarily to keep the extra pawn, but to use the time White spends recovering it to develop your pieces rapidly.

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, a standard developing move that prevents you from playing an immediate e5 break. White could also try e3 to recapture the pawn immediately or the more aggressive e4, known as the Saduleto Variation. Nf3 is the most flexible choice, keeping White's options open.

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 Variation. You are preparing to challenge White's light-squared bishop and potentially support a b5 pawn thrust. It also prevents any annoying knight or bishop jumps to the b5-square.

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)

4. e3White

White plays e3, preparing to win the c4-pawn back with the bishop. White sometimes tries a4 to stop your queenside expansion or the ambitious e4, known as the Borisenko-Furman Variation. The move e3 is the most solid, focusing on completing development before launching an attack.

Other paths here: a4 (QGA: Alekhine, 4.a4) · e4 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Alekhine Defense, Borisenko-Furman Variation)

4... Bg4Black · your move

Develop your bishop to g4. This move creates an annoying pin on the f3-knight, which is a key defender of the d4-square. By pressuring this knight, you make it harder for White to maintain their central grip and prepare for your own central counterplay.

Other paths here: e6 (QGA: Alekhine, 4.e3 e6) · b5 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Alekhine Defense, Haberditz Variation)

5. Bxc4White

White plays Bxc4, finally scooping up the gambit pawn. The bishop is now very well-placed, eyeing your kingside. White could have tried Nc3 first to develop more pieces, but taking the pawn is the most direct way to restore material balance and gain a space advantage.

5... e6Black · your move

Push your pawn to e6. This move solidifies your d5-square and opens the diagonal for your dark-squared bishop. It also prepares for your kingside development, ensuring your king can reach safety quickly while maintaining a solid central barrier.

6. d5White

White plays d5, a sharp central thrust that tries to break open the position before you can castle. White had other options like h3 to kick your bishop or Nc3 to continue development, but d5 is the most aggressive. You must now handle the tension in the center carefully.

Other paths here: h3 (QGA: Alekhine, 4.e3 Bg4 5.Bxc4 e6 6.h3) · Nc3 (QGA: Alekhine, 4.e3 Bg4 5.Bxc4 e6 6.Nc3) · Qb3 (QGA: Alekhine, 4.e3 Bg4 5.Bxc4 e6 6.Qb3)

Where you stand

The position is highly tactical and centered around the tension on d5. White seeks to use their space and central pressure to prevent Black from castling comfortably. Black's plan involves completing development with Nf6 and Be7, while deciding whether to capture on d5 or maintain the tension to keep the center closed.

• g8-f6 Develop the knight to challenge d5
• f8-e7 Prepare kingside castling and protect d6
• b1-c3 Bring the knight to its most active square
• e1-g1 Get the king to safety and activate the rook