Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Main Line

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Accepted is a principled response where Black captures on c4 to avoid cramped positions. In the Classical Defense, Black focuses on rapid kingside development and a timely counter-strike in the center with the c5 break. White aims to regain the pawn quickly and maintain a space advantage in the center.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, a solid choice that controls the center. Unlike the king's pawn opening, this leads to more closed or semi-closed strategic battles. You will need to decide how to respond to this central presence immediately.

1... d5Black · your move

Move your pawn to d5. By mirroring White's move, you prevent them from grabbing more space with e4 and create your own foothold in the center. This is the most direct way to challenge White's opening ambitions.

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 pressures your center and prepares to develop the knight behind the pawn. While White could try the London System with Bf4 or the Chigorin with Nc3, the gambit is the most testing line.

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 clear the d-file. You aren't trying to hold this pawn forever; instead, you want to use the time White spends recovering it to develop your pieces.

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 standard developing move that keeps options open. White could also try e3 or e4 immediately to reclaim the pawn, or the Accelerated Mannheim Variation with Qa4+, but the knight move is the most common and solid.

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 develops a piece toward the center, prepares for castling, and keeps an eye on the d5 and e4 squares. It is the most natural way to continue your development after accepting the gambit.

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 effective way to regain the pawn. White has alternatives like the Mannheim Variation with Qa4+ or the Showalter Variation with Nc3, but e3 is the most direct path to the main lines of the QGA.

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 · your move

Move your pawn to e6. This solidifies your center and opens the path for your dark-squared bishop to develop. You are preparing to castle and preparing for the critical c5 break to challenge White's center later.

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

White recaptures on c4 with the bishop. This was White's primary goal after e3. Now the piece is actively placed, and White is ready to castle. You must now decide how to challenge this well-organized setup.

5... c5Black · your move

Push your pawn to c5. This is the most important thematic move for Black in the Queen's Gambit Accepted. You are striking at the heart of White's center and creating space for your queen and knight.

Other paths here: a6 (QGA: 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 a6)

6. O-OWhite

White castles, prioritizing king safety. White could also choose to develop the knight with Nc3 or play Qe2 in the Furman Variation, but castling is the most flexible and standard approach here.

Other paths here: Nc3 (QGA: Classical, 6.Nc3) · dxc5 (QGA: Classical, Early Queenswap) · Qe2 (QGA: Classical, Furman Variation)

6... a6Black · your move

Move your pawn to a6. This subtle move prepares for b5, which would attack the bishop on c4 and gain space on the queenside. It also controls the b5 square, preventing any annoying white pieces from jumping in.

Other paths here: Nc6 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Steinitz Variation, Development Variation) · cxd4 (Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Steinitz Variation, Exchange Variation)

Where you stand

The position is balanced and rich with typical Queen's Gambit themes. White will likely play Qe2 or a4 to restrain Black's queenside expansion, while Black will look to develop the knight to c6 and the bishop to b7. The central tension between d4 and c5 will define the next phase of the game, often leading to an isolated queen's pawn structure if the pawns are traded.

• b8-c6 Develop the knight to its most active square
• c8-b7 Fianchetto the bishop after pushing b5
• d1-e2 Connect rooks and support the center
• a2-a4 Prevent Black's b5 expansion and gain space