QGA: 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 a6

Before the first move

In the Queen's Gambit Accepted, White offers a pawn to gain central dominance and rapid development. Black accepts the challenge, hoping to counterattack later. This line focuses on solid development where White regains the pawn immediately, leading to a balanced but strategically rich middlegame.

1. d4White · your move

Move your pawn to d4. This classic opening move claims space in the center and opens paths for both your queen and dark-squared bishop. It is the foundation for many positional and tactical battles.

1... d5Black

Black replies d5, the most common response. While alternatives like the English Defense with b6 or the sharp Englund Gambit with e5 exist, this move ensures a direct fight for the central squares.

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

2. c4White · your move

Push your pawn to c4. You are offering the 'gambit' pawn to distract Black's d5-pawn from the center. If they take, you will gain more influence over the e4-square and develop rapidly.

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, entering the Queen's Gambit Accepted. While many players prefer the Declined versions with e6 or the Slav with c6, taking the pawn challenges White to prove their compensation through better development.

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 move that controls the e5 and d4 squares while preventing Black from immediately striking back with e5. It keeps your options open for how to recapture the 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 replies Nf6, developing towards the center. You might also see the sharp Slav Gambit with b5 or the Gunsberg Defense with c5, but developing the knight is the most reliable way to maintain the balance.

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 solidifies your d4-pawn and opens the diagonal for your light-squared bishop to finally recapture the pawn on c4. It prepares you for a safe kingside castle.

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, a solid response that prepares for development. Other ideas include the sharp Janowski-Larsen with Bg4 or the Smyslov Variation with g6, but e6 is the backbone of the classical defense.

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 regained your material and placed a beautiful piece on an active diagonal. Your bishop now eyes the f7-square and controls the center.

5... a6Black

Black plays a6, preparing the b5 expansion. The main alternative is c5, attacking the center immediately, but a6 is a deep positional move that aims for a long-term queenside fianchetto and counter-pressure.

Other paths here: c5 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense)

Where you stand

The position is roughly equal with clear plans for both sides. White will likely castle and try to use the space advantage to create central pressure. Black intends to expand on the queenside with b5 and c5, challenging White's center and developing the light-squared bishop to a strong diagonal on b7.

• e1-g1 Castle kingside for king safety
• b7-b5 Expand queenside and challenge the bishop
• c8-b7 Fianchetto the bishop to control the long diagonal
• b1-c3 Develop the knight to a central square
• c7-c5 Strike at the center to create tension