Queen's Gambit Accepted: moves, ideas and plans

Black takes the c4 pawn, then gives it back to get free, easy development and a solid position.

D27Play it as BlackIntermediate14 moves

Main line: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6 7. dxc5 Bxc5

Key ideas

• ...dxc4 is a temporary pawn grab, not an attempt to keep it.
• ...e6 and ...c5 attack White's centre.
• Black aims for an isolated d-pawn to attack.

The Queen's Gambit Accepted move by move

Every move of the main line, with the reason it is played. The final position is recognised in the opening database as D27 Queen's Gambit Accepted: Furman Variation.

1. 1. d4Centre.
2. 1… d5Symmetrical.
3. 2. c4The Queen's Gambit.
4. 2… dxc4Accepted. Black does not try to keep the pawn.
5. 3. Nf3Prevents ...e5 and develops.
6. 3… Nf6Development.
7. 4. e3Opens the f1 bishop to take back on c4.
8. 4… e6Opens Black's own bishop.
9. 5. Bxc4White regains the pawn.
10. 5… c5Black strikes at d4, the key break.
11. 6. O-OWhite castles.
12. 6… a6Prepares ...b5 with tempo on the c4 bishop.
13. 7. dxc5White trades on c5.
14. 7… Bxc5Black recaptures with an active bishop and equal play.

More openings for Black