Queen's Gambit Accepted: Mannheim Variation

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Accepted is a sharp response where Black takes the offered c4 pawn. In the Mannheim Variation, White uses an early queen check to reclaim the material quickly, aiming for a solid, classical structure where both sides fight for control of the center and development speed.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, the most common alternative to e4. By occupying the center, White prepares to control the flow of the game. Black has many ways to respond, including the King's Indian Defense or the Nimzo-Indian, but the most direct reply is d5.

1... d5Black · your move

Meet White's central claim by moving your pawn to d5. This establishes your own foothold in the center and prevents White from pushing e4 easily.

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 actually losing a pawn long-term, but rather challenging Black's central control. White could also try the London System with Bf4 or the Chigorin with Nc3.

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 give up the center temporarily to gain a lead in development or force White to spend time winning the pawn back.

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 flexible developing move that stops Black's e5 break. White could also play e3 to immediately attack the c4 pawn, or the more aggressive e4, known as the Saduleto Variation, to seize the entire center.

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... Nf6Black · your move

Bring your knight to f6. This is a natural developing move that prepares for castling and keeps an eye on the d5 and e4 squares.

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. Qa4+White

White plays Qa4+, a forcing move that regains the pawn immediately after Black blocks. While the main lines usually involve e3 or g3, this check simplifies the position and ensures White recovers the material without delay.

Other paths here: g3 (QGA: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3) · Nc3 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Showalter Variation) · e3 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Normal Variation)

Where you stand

The position is roughly equal as White prepares to capture on c4. Black will likely block the check with c6 or Bd7, leading to a game where White has a slight space advantage while Black enjoys a solid, flexible setup. Both sides will focus on completing development and deciding where to place their pieces for the upcoming middlegame struggle.

• a4-c4 Capture the c4 pawn to restore material balance
• c7-c6 Block the check while supporting the center
• c1-f4 Develop the bishop to an active diagonal
• c8-f5 Bring the light-squared bishop out before e6