Queen's Gambit

The Queen's Gambit is a chess opening which starts with 1.d4 d5 2.c4. It is not really a gambit, because the pawn taken cannot be held. For example (simplest line):

1.d4 d5

2.c4 dxc4

3.e3 b5

4.a4 c6

5.axb5 cxb5

6.Qf3 and wins.

• 2...dxc4 is the Queen's Gambit Accepted. 5085 games in database.
• 2...e6 is the Queen's Gambit Declined. 14,635 games.
• 2...c6 is the Slav defence. 17,801 games.
• 2...Nc6 is Chigorin's defence. 836 games.

Queen's Gambit Accepted

The QGA

								[[Image:chess rd d44.png|22px|alt=h8 black rook]]
								[[Image:chess pd l44.png|22px|alt=h7 black pawn]]
								[[Image:chess __ d44.png|22px|alt=h6 __|link=]]
								[[Image:chess __ l44.png|22px|alt=h5 __|link=]]
								[[Image:chess __ d44.png|22px|alt=h4 __|link=]]
								[[Image:chess __ l44.png|22px|alt=h3 __|link=]]
								[[Image:chess pl d44.png|22px|alt=h2 white pawn]]
								[[Image:chess __ l44.png|22px|alt=h1 __|link=]]

position after 10...Qc7

Since the pawn can't be kept, Black (by taking the c-pawn) has given up the centre. The standard strategy then is for Black to mount a counter-attack on the White centre.

1.d4 d5

2.c4 dxc4

3.Nf3 Nf6

4.e3 e6

5.Bxc4 c5

6.0-0 a6

7.Qe2 b5

8.Bb3 Bb7

9.Rd1 Nbd7

10.Nc3 Qc7/Qb8/Qb6 (alternates)

Now the white centre is balanced by the black counter-attack.