QGA: 4.Nc3 a6 5.a4

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Accepted is a bold choice where Black takes the c4 pawn to challenge White's central control immediately. In this Nc3 variation, White focuses on rapid development and preventing Black from reinforcing the extra pawn. You'll learn how to clamp down on the queenside to regain material and maintain a space advantage.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4 to claim the center and open lines for your queen and bishop. This move establishes a firm foothold in the middle of the board and sets the stage for a strategic battle.

1... d5Black

Black replies with d5, leading to a closed or semi-closed game. While alternatives like Nf6 or e6 are very common, this direct challenge often leads to the Queen's Gambit. Rarer tries like the Englund Gambit or the Baltic Defense are also possible.

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

2. c4White · your move

Offer your c-pawn by moving it to c4. This is the Queen's Gambit, intended to lure Black's d-pawn away from the center so you can eventually occupy it with your own e-pawn.

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 accepts the challenge with dxc4. This leads to open positions where piece activity is paramount. Black could instead decline with e6 or c6, the solid foundations of the Queen's Gambit Declined and the Slav Defense.

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 move controls the e5 and d4 squares and, crucially, prevents Black from immediately playing e5 to strike back at your center. It also prepares kingside castling.

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

Black develops Nf6, reinforcing the center. This is the main line, though Black has several alternatives like e6 to prepare development, c5 to challenge the d4 pawn directly, or the sharp Slav Gambit with b5.

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. Nc3White · your move

Develop your other knight to c3. You are increasing the pressure on d5 and preparing to eventually recapture on c4. This move develops a piece toward the center and keeps your options open.

Other paths here: g3 (QGA: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3) · Qa4+ (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Mannheim Variation) · e3 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Normal Variation)

4... a6Black

Black plays a6, a key move in the Alekhine Variation. It prepares b5 to solidify the c4 pawn. Other major paths for Black here include the immediate c5 break or the solid e6, leading to more classical setups.

Other paths here: c5 (QGA: 4.Nc3 c5) · Nd5 (QGA: 4.Nc3 Nd5) · e6 (QGA: 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5)

5. a4White · your move

Advance your pawn to a4. This is a critical prophylactic move that stops Black from playing b5. By preventing the defense of the c4 pawn, you ensure you will be able to recapture it soon.

Other paths here: e4 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Bogoljubow Defense)

Where you stand

The position is strategically rich. White has successfully prevented Black from holding the extra pawn with b5 and will likely follow up with e3 and Bxc4. Black's plan is to develop the queenside knight to c6 and eventually strike at the center with e5 or c5. Both sides have clear paths to finish development and begin the middlegame struggle.

• e2-e3 Prepare to recapture the c4 pawn
• f1-c4 Recapture the pawn and develop bishop
• b8-c6 Develop knight to pressure d4
• e7-e5 Strike at the center immediately