Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Alekhine System

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Accepted is a sharp, modern way to meet 1.d4. Black temporarily gives up the center to gain rapid development and a solid pawn structure. In the Alekhine System, White uses the queen to support the center, while Black prepares a queenside expansion with b5 to challenge White's well-placed bishop.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, a move focused on long-term control and solid structures. You'll often see this lead to the Queen's Gambit, though alternatives like the London System or the Trompowsky Attack are also very common from this starting point.

1... d5Black · your move

Respond by moving your pawn to d5. This mirrors White's control of the center and prevents them from immediately pushing e4. It sets the stage for a classical battle for central influence.

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 they can usually win it back later. Alternatives like the London System with Bf4 or the Chigorin with Nc3 offer a different flavor of play.

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 gain material and force White to spend time recovering the pawn. This leads to open positions where your pieces can develop freely.

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 popular way to continue. By developing the knight first, White avoids the sharpest lines of the Central Variation with e4. Other options include the Accelerated Mannheim with Qa4+ or the Old Variation with e3.

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 for kingside castling. It is essential to keep White's central ambitions in check while you organize your counterplay.

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, preparing to take back on c4. This is the Classical approach. White could also try the more modern g3 lines or the Showalter Variation with Nc3, but e3 remains the most reliable path to a small advantage.

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 reinforces your d5-square and prepares to develop your dark-squared bishop. It is a key part of the Classical Defense, ensuring your king will have a safe home soon.

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 finally takes on c4. The bishop is now beautifully placed, and White has achieved the first goal of the opening. You'll now have to decide how to challenge this piece and White's central control.

5... c5Black · your move

Strike at the center with c5. This is a critical thematic move in the QGA. You are challenging White's d4-pawn and creating space for your queen and pieces to breathe. It often leads to an isolated queen's pawn position.

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

6. O-OWhite

White castles kingside, a standard and strong move. White could also try Nc3 or the Furman Variation with Qe2 here, but castling is the most principled way to finish the first stage of development.

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

6... a6Black · your move

Push your pawn to a6. This move prepares the b5 expansion, which will harass White's bishop on c4 and allow you to develop your light-squared bishop to b7. It is the hallmark of the Alekhine System.

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)

7. Qe2White

White plays Qe2, the Alekhine System. By placing the queen here, White clears d1 for a rook and prepares to meet b5 with a retreat. Alternatives like a3, b3, or the simple Bb3 all lead to different strategic battles.

Other paths here: a3 (QGA: Classical, 6...a6 7.a3) · b3 (QGA: Classical, 6...a6 7.b3) · Bb3 (QGA: Classical, 6...a6 7.Bb3) · Bd3 (QGA: Classical, 6...a6 7.Bd3)

Where you stand

The position is balanced but full of tension. White will look to use the d-file and e-file for their rooks, while Black will expand on the queenside with b5 and Bb7. The battle often revolves around whether White can use their central space or if Black's piece activity and queenside pressure will prevail.

• b7-b5 Expand on the queenside and kick the bishop.
• c8-b7 Fianchetto the bishop to pressure the long diagonal.
• f1-d1 Place the rook on the open d-file.
• c4-d3 Retreat the bishop to safety after b5.
• b8-d7 Develop the knight to support the c5 break.