Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Accepted is a sharp, modern way to fight for the center. Rather than defending the d5-pawn, Black captures on c4 to lure White's pieces forward, then strikes back with a queenside expansion. In this Classical Main Line, you will navigate a high-level strategic battle where Black's active bishops challenge White's central control.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, the most popular alternative to the King's Pawn Opening. By controlling e5 and preparing to develop the queenside, White invites a variety of responses. Black can choose the symmetrical d5, the flexible Nf6 (Indian Defenses), or even more provocative options like e5 (Englund Gambit).

1... d5Black · your move

Occupy the center with d5. By matching White's central pawn, you prevent the immediate e4 advance and establish your own claim in the middle. This solid foundation prepares for a standard Queen's Pawn game where you challenge White's space advantage directly.

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 actually losing a pawn, as it is difficult for Black to keep it. Instead of the gambit, White could try the London System with Bf4 or the Chigorin Variation with Nc3, but c4 is the most ambitious try for an advantage.

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 give up the center to gain active piece play and a queenside pawn majority. You aren't trying to hold this pawn forever; instead, you'll use the time White spends recapturing it to develop quickly.

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 continuation. By delaying e4, White avoids certain sharp lines like the Mannheim Variation (Qa4+). White could also play e3 immediately to grab the pawn back, or the aggressive e4 (Saduleto Variation) to seize the entire center at once.

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 is a standard developing move that controls the e4 and d5 squares. You are preparing for kingside castling and keeping an eye on White's central expansion. It is a flexible move that fits into almost every setup Black might choose.

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 most popular choice, though the Mannheim Variation with Qa4+ or the Showalter Variation with Nc3 are also frequently seen. By playing e3, White ensures the bishop can develop naturally while protecting the d4 pawn.

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 move reinforces your center and opens the path for your dark-squared bishop to develop. You are preparing to challenge White's center with c5 later, and this pawn on e6 will provide the necessary support for that break.

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, restoring material balance. The bishop is now beautifully placed. Black has achieved a solid setup, but must now find a way to activate the remaining pieces and challenge White's central space, usually starting with an attack on the d4 pawn.

5... c5Black · your move

Strike at the center with c5. This is the thematic break in the Queen's Gambit Accepted. You are challenging White's d4 pawn and opening lines for your queen. This move is essential to ensure you don't get squeezed by White's space advantage.

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

6. O-OWhite

White castles, prioritizing king safety. This is the most common move, though White could also try Nc3 to increase central pressure or Qe2 to prepare for a more complex middlegame. Castling now keeps White's options open and avoids any early tactical surprises in the center.

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 is a multi-purpose move: it prepares the b5 expansion to kick White's bishop and also provides a square for your queen or rook. In the QGA, this queenside expansion is your primary source of counterplay and piece activity.

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, a sophisticated move often called the Furman Variation. It prepares to bring the rooks to d1 and e1. Alternatives like a3 or Nc3 are common, but Qe2 is a high-level choice that keeps the tension and prepares for a long strategic battle.

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)

7... b5Black · your move

Push your pawn to b5. You are gaining space on the queenside and forcing White's bishop to move. This expansion is the key to your setup, as it will allow you to develop your light-squared bishop to the long diagonal on b7, where it will be very powerful.

Other paths here: cxd4 (QGA: Classical, 7.Qe2 cxd4) · Nc6 (QGA: Classical, 7.Qe2 Nc6)

8. Bb3White

White retreats the bishop to b3. This is more common than Bd3, as the bishop on b3 maintains pressure on the a2-g8 diagonal. White is waiting for Black to commit the bishop or the knight before deciding on the final central configuration.

Other paths here: Bd3 (QGA: Classical, 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bd3)

8... Bb7Black · your move

Fianchetto your bishop to b7. This is the culmination of your queenside expansion. Your bishop now exerts tremendous pressure along the long diagonal, staring directly at White's center and kingside. You have completed your development and are ready for the middlegame struggle.

Other paths here: Nc6 (QGA: Classical, 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bb3 Nc6)

Where you stand

The position is dynamically balanced. White will look to use the central space and the placement of the rooks on d1 and e1 to launch an attack or a central breakthrough with e4. Black, meanwhile, has excellent piece coordination and will use the powerful bishop on b7 and the queenside pawn majority to create counterplay. Watch for the tension between the c5 and d4 pawns, as the timing of the exchange will define the game.

• b3-d5 Bishop targets the d5 square via c4
• b7-e4 Bishop exerts pressure on the e4 square
• f3-e5 Knight looks for an outpost on e5
• b8-d7 Knight develops to d7 to support c5