Queen's Gambit Accepted: Janowski-Larsen Variation

Before the first move

The Janowski-Larsen Variation of the Queen's Gambit Accepted is a provocative choice for Black. Instead of clinging to the extra pawn, you allow White to recapture it while focusing on rapid development and placing immediate pressure on White's kingside coordination, specifically targeting the knight on f3.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, the most popular alternative to the king's pawn openings. By occupying the center, White prepares to control the game's tempo. You might see other first moves like e4 or c4, but d4 leads to the strategic world of the Queen's Gambit.

1... d5Black · your move

Meet White's central claim by moving your pawn to d5. This creates a symmetrical barrier and prevents White from easily pushing e4. You are establishing your own stake in the center and preparing to develop your 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 signature move of the Queen's Gambit. White is testing your resolve in the center. While White could play the London System with Bf4 or the Chigorin with Nc3, c4 is the most ambitious and theoretically rich 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 temporarily go a pawn up and force White to spend time winning it back. This open style of play leads to active piece play rather than the cramped positions often found in the Declined variations.

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 controls the center. White could have played e4 immediately to seize the middle or used Qa4+ to win the pawn back right away, but the knight move is the most respected and solid approach.

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 natural developing move controls the center and prepares you for castling. It also supports your future plans of challenging White's center, keeping your options open for how to deal with White's eventual recapture 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)

4. e3White

White plays e3, a quiet but strong move aiming to reclaim the c4 pawn. White has alternatives like the Mannheim Variation with Qa4+ or the Showalter Variation with Nc3, but e3 is the most classical way to handle the position.

Other paths here: g3 (QGA: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3) · Qa4+ (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Mannheim Variation) · Nc3 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Showalter Variation)

4... Bg4Black · your move

Develop your bishop to g4, pinning the knight on f3. This is the Janowski-Larsen Variation. You are putting immediate pressure on White's kingside and making it difficult for White to maintain a perfect center. This active piece play is the hallmark of your strategy.

Other paths here: a6 (QGA: 4.e3 a6) · c5 (QGA: 4.e3 c5) · g6 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Smyslov Variation) · Be6 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Winawer Defense)

Where you stand

The position is dynamically balanced. White will likely recapture on c4 with the bishop, while Black will look to play e6 and c5 to challenge the center. The battle revolves around whether White's central control can outweigh Black's active piece pressure and the potential disruption of White's kingside structure if the f3 knight is traded.

• f1-c4 Recapture the pawn and develop the bishop.
• e7-e6 Solidify the d5 square and free the bishop.
• b1-c3 Bring the queen's knight into the game.
• c7-c5 Strike at the center to challenge d4.
• e1-g1 Secure the king after the bishop moves.