Queen's Gambit Declined: Been-Koomen Variation

Before the first move

The Been-Koomen Variation, or Dutch-Peruvian Gambit, is an aggressive counter-attacking line in the Queen's Gambit Declined. By striking at the center with c5 while pinned, Black invites massive tactical complications. It is a high-stakes battle where both sides fight for central dominance and early piece activity.

1. d4White

White plays d4, the most common alternative to e4. By occupying the center, White prepares a solid setup. You will often see this lead to the Queen's Gambit, but other systems like the London or the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit are also possible from this starting point.

1... d5Black · your move

Move your pawn to d5. By mirroring White's move, you establish your own stake in the center and prevent White from easily pushing e4. This is the most classical response to the d4 opening.

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 already pressuring your central d5-pawn. You have to decide whether to take it, defend it with e6 or c6, or even ignore it with moves like Nc6 in the Chigorin Defense.

Other paths here: Qd3 (Amazon Attack) · e4 (Blackmar-Diemer Gambit) · e3 (Queen's Pawn Game) · Bf4 (Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System)

2... e6Black · your move

Move your pawn to e6. This solidifies your d5-pawn and prepares to develop your kingside. This is the Queen's Gambit Declined, one of the most reliable and deeply studied structures in all of chess.

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. Nc3White

White plays Nc3, increasing the heat on your d5-pawn. This is the most common way to continue, though White sometimes prefers the more flexible Nf3 or the Exchange Variation with cxd5. You must now decide how to finish your kingside development.

Other paths here: Bf4 (QGD: 3.Bf4) · cxd5 (QGD: 3.cxd5) · e3 (QGD: 3.e3) · g3 (QGD: 3.g3)

3... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This move defends d5 and prepares for castling. It is the most standard response, keeping the position balanced while you prepare to bring out your bishops.

Other paths here: Bb4 (QGD: 3.Nc3 Bb4) · Nc6 (QGD: 3.Nc3 Nc6) · Be7 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Charousek Variation) · a6 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Janowski Variation)

4. Bg5White

White plays Bg5, pinning your knight to the queen. This is a very aggressive and classic approach. White could have played more quietly with Nf3 or e3, but this pin forces you to address the tension in the center immediately.

Other paths here: e3 (QGD: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3) · g3 (QGD: Catalan without Nf3) · Bf4 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Harrwitz Attack) · Nf3 (QGD: 4.Nf3)

4... c5Black · your move

Push your pawn to c5. This is the bold Been-Koomen Variation. You are ignoring the pin on your knight and striking back at White's d4-pawn. This move creates immense tension and invites a complex tactical battle.

Other paths here: Bb4 (QGD: 4.Bg5 Bb4) · c6 (QGD: 4.Bg5 c6) · dxc4 (QGD: 4.Bg5 dxc4) · Nbd7 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Knight Defense)

Where you stand

The position is now highly explosive with tension on d4, d5, c4, and c5. White usually continues by capturing on d5, leading to a complex struggle where Black often sacrifices a pawn for rapid development and piece activity. Both sides must be extremely precise, as the center can evaporate into tactical chaos in just a few moves.

• c4-d5 White often captures to simplify the center
• c5-d4 Black strikes at the d4 foundation
• f8-e7 Black prepares to break the pin
• e2-e3 White solidifies the center and develops