QGA: 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Accepted is a strategic battle where Black temporarily takes a pawn to challenge White's control of the center. In this classical variation, White calmly prepares to recapture the pawn while developing pieces, leading to a balanced position where both sides fight for central space and piece activity.

1. d4White · your move

Move your pawn to d4. This classic opening move claims space in the center and opens paths for your queen and dark-squared bishop. You are establishing a firm foothold in the middle of the board to dictate the early flow of the game.

1... d5Black

Black replies with d5, the most direct way to challenge White's d4 pawn. This leads us toward the Queen's Gambit complex. Other moves like Nf6 lead to Indian Defenses, while more unusual tries like the Englund Gambit or the Australian Defense seek to immediately unbalance the game.

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 to your opponent. This is the Queen's Gambit. You are inviting Black to take the pawn so you can eventually dominate the center with your e-pawn and develop your pieces rapidly while they struggle to defend the extra material.

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 captures with dxc4, accepting the challenge. This is a very principled approach. While the Slav Defense with c6 or the Orthodox Defense with e6 are more common at the highest levels, the Accepted variation remains a sharp and reliable weapon for Black.

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 is a flexible and strong move that prevents Black from immediately striking back in the center with e5. It also prepares kingside castling and keeps your options open for how to recapture the c4 pawn.

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 with Nf6, mirroring White's knight move. This is the main line, though Black has several alternatives like the sharp Slav Gambit with b5 or the Janowski-Larsen Variation with Bg4, which seeks to pressure the knight on f3 immediately.

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 · your move

Push your pawn to e3. This move opens the diagonal for your light-squared bishop to finally recapture the pawn on c4. It also solidifies your d4 pawn and prepares for a safe kingside castle once the bishop moves.

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... e6Black

Black plays e6, preparing for development. This is the most solid response. Other options include a6, preparing b5 to expand on the queenside, or the immediate c5, which leads to very direct central tension and open piece play.

Other paths here: a6 (QGA: 4.e3 a6) · c5 (QGA: 4.e3 c5) · Bg4 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Janowski-Larsen Variation) · g6 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Smyslov Variation)

5. Bxc4White · your move

Capture the pawn on c4 with your bishop. You have successfully regained the gambit pawn and developed a key piece to an active square. From c4, your bishop eyes the f7 square and dominates the a2-g8 diagonal.

Where you stand

The position is roughly equal but full of strategic depth. White enjoys a solid center and easy development, while Black has a compact position with no weaknesses. The main battle will revolve around Black's attempt to play c5 and White's efforts to use their central space to launch a kingside attack or maintain a clamp on the position.

• c4-b3 Tuck the bishop away after a6-b5
• c7-c5 Challenge the d4 pawn immediately
• e1-g1 Secure the king and connect rooks
• b1-c3 Develop the knight to its best square
• f8-e7 Prepare kingside castling and neutral development