QGA: 4.Nc3 c5 5.d5

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Accepted is a bold response where Black captures the c4 pawn to challenge White's control. In this variation, White delays immediate recovery of the pawn to seize a powerful space advantage in the center, leading to a dynamic battle where White's central control clashes with Black's piece activity.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4. This classic opening move claims the center and opens paths for your queen and dark-squared bishop. It is the foundation of many strategic setups where you aim for long-term territorial control.

1... d5Black

Black replies with d5, establishing a firm presence in the center. While e6 or Nf6 are very common to keep options open, d5 is the most traditional response. Other choices like the English Defense with b6 or the Horwitz Defense with e6 lead to very different pawn structures.

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

2. c4White · your move

Offer the c4 pawn. This is the Queen's Gambit. You are inviting Black to capture it so you can eventually dominate the center with your e-pawn. Even if they take it, you'll gain development and central space in return.

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 plays dxc4, accepting the challenge. This is the Queen's Gambit Accepted. Black gives up the center to gain a lead in development or to create counter-pressure later. Solid alternatives include the Chigorin Defense with Nc6 or the Austrian Defense with c5.

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 prevents Black from immediately striking at your center with e5 and prepares to castle. It is a flexible developing move that keeps the pressure on the c4 pawn for later recovery.

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 replies with Nf6, developing a piece and preparing for kingside safety. This is the most popular reply, though the Slav Gambit with b5 or the Rosenthal Variation with e6 are also common ways to defend or counter-attack the center.

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. This puts more pressure on the d5 square and prepares to support a central pawn push. You are building a massive presence in the middle of the board before deciding how to recover your pawn.

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... c5Black

Black strikes with c5, a thematic counter-break. By challenging d4, Black hopes to disrupt White's coordination. This is the main line here, though a6 preparing b5 or the unusual Nd5 are also seen in master-level games.

Other paths here: a6 (QGA: 4.Nc3 a6) · Nd5 (QGA: 4.Nc3 Nd5) · e6 (QGA: 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5)

5. d5White · your move

Advance your pawn to d5. This is a powerful space-gaining move that cramps Black's position and restricts their pieces. You are ignoring the tension on c4 to create a wedge in the heart of Black's camp.

Where you stand

The position is highly imbalanced. White has a significant space advantage with the d5 pawn, while Black has an extra pawn on c4 and good piece activity. White will aim to play e4 and develop the light-squared bishop, while Black must quickly challenge the d5 wedge with e6 to avoid being suffocated.

• e2-e4 Support d5 and open the bishop
• e7-e6 Challenge the central d5 wedge
• f1-c4 Recover the pawn and develop
• f8-e7 Develop and prepare to castle