Queen's Gambit Accepted

About this variation

Black takes the pawn with 2...dxc4 and aims for free development instead of trying to keep it. White usually regains the pawn and keeps a central majority.

The Queen's Gambit Accepted goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4. Black takes the pawn, but not to keep it: the idea is to free the position by giving White the center for a moment and then striking back with ...c5 and ...e6. Because Black usually cannot hold the extra pawn safely, the opening is better thought of as a way to obtain free piece play rather than a real gambit.

White's most common replies are 3. Nf3 and 3. e4. After 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6, the classical main line, White regains the pawn and often ends up with an isolated queen's pawn after an exchange on d4. 3. e4 grabs the center at once and asks Black to counter with ...e5, ...Nf6 or ...c5. Each approach leads to open play where piece activity matters more than structure.

Black's key ideas are ...a6 and ...b5 to gain queenside space with tempo against the bishop on c4, the break ...c5 to challenge d4, and the development of the light-squared bishop to b7 or g4. White wants to use the central majority and quicker development, often with an e4-e5 push or a d4-d5 break to open lines towards Black's king.

The opening has a long history and has been used at the very top level, including in world championship matches. It suits Black players who like open, classical positions and prefer clear, active development to the more defensive Queen's Gambit Declined.

A common mistake for Black is to cling to the c4 pawn with ...b5 too early, which can leave the queenside full of holes after a4. A common mistake for White is to recapture the pawn slowly and let Black finish development with ...c5 and ...Nc6 under ideal conditions. Both sides do best by focusing on quick, harmonious development.

It is one of the main lines of the Queen's Gambit.