Queen's Gambit Accepted: Smyslov Variation

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Accepted: Smyslov Variation is a sophisticated choice for Black. Instead of defending the d5-pawn, you capture on c4 and later fianchetto your king's bishop. This creates a hybrid structure where you combine the active piece play of the Gambit with the solid, modern defensive setup of a King's Indian or Gruenfeld.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, the most common alternative to e4. By occupying the center, White invites a strategic battle where piece coordination and pawn structures often outweigh raw tactical brawls. You'll need to decide how to contest this central presence immediately.

1... d5Black · your move

Meet White's central claim by placing your pawn on d5. This move prevents White from simply playing e4 and establishes your own foothold in the middle of the board, mirroring White's setup and preparing for a classical struggle.

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 really losing a pawn here, as it can usually be recovered. You have big choices: you can decline with e6 or c6, or accept the challenge by capturing the 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 · your move

Capture the pawn on c4 to accept the gambit. By doing this, you temporarily give up the center to gain active piece play and avoid the cramped positions often found in the Declined variations. You aren't trying to keep the pawn forever, but rather to disrupt White's rhythm.

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, the most flexible and common response. By delaying the recapture of the pawn, White stops you from playing an immediate e5. White could also try e4 for a more aggressive center or e3 to immediately prepare the bishop's recapture on c4.

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

Develop your knight to f6. This move controls the e4 and d5 squares, preparing for your own development and reinforcing your presence in the center. It is a flexible move that keeps your options open for several different defensive setups.

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 solid move preparing to take back on c4. White could also choose the more ambitious g3 to fianchetto their own bishop or the Mannheim Variation with Qa4+. By playing e3, White signals a desire for a controlled, strategic game.

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... g6Black · your move

Push your pawn to g6 to prepare a kingside fianchetto. This is the Smyslov Variation. You are going to place your bishop on g7, where it will exert long-range pressure on the center and protect your king, creating a very resilient defensive shell.

Other paths here: a6 (QGA: 4.e3 a6) · c5 (QGA: 4.e3 c5) · Bg4 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Janowski-Larsen Variation) · Be6 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Winawer Defense)

Where you stand

The position is balanced but full of tension. White will soon recapture on c4 and castle kingside, while Black will complete the fianchetto with Bg7. Black's plan involves challenging the center with c5 or e5 later, while White aims to use their central space and lead in development to create pressure on the queenside or in the center.

• f1-c4 Recapture the pawn and develop the bishop
• f8-g7 Complete the fianchetto to pressure the center
• e1-g1 Secure the king and connect the rooks
• c7-c5 Strike at the center to challenge White