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Queen's Gambit Accepted
d4 d5 c4 dxc4 Nf3 Nf6 e3 e6 Bxc4 c5 O-O a6 Qe2 b5Black accepts the Queen's Gambit pawn and plans to return it under favorable conditions — a principled response that leads to active piece play rather than a static pawn structure.
Theory 66
Games 120K
Family 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4
Opening Profile
Sharpness55
Solidity58
Counterplay70
BeginnerConcrete and tactical — good for players who prefer direct play over structural battles.
ClubA solid practical choice against d4 players who expect the QGD triangle setup.
AdvancedPlayed regularly at the top level; requires knowing several theoretical lines deeply.
Black accepts the Queen's Gambit pawn and plans to return it under favorable conditions — a principled response that leads to active piece play rather than a static pawn structure.
Variations
White's Plans
Recover the c4 pawn via e3 and Bxc4, then build central pressure with Nc3, e4, and d4-d5 breaks.
Target Black's queenside pawn weaknesses once the c5 push creates isolated or backward pawns.
Use the bishop pair and open diagonals if Black exchanges pieces to reduce the structural pressure.
Black's Plans
Use the extra tempo from taking the c4 pawn to play ...c5 and ...a6, creating immediate queenside counterplay.
Develop actively — Nf6, e6, Be7 or Bb4 — rather than sitting passively with the extra pawn.
The b5-b4 push can disrupt White's queenside coordination if timed correctly.
Win Rate Across All Games
39% White6.9% Draw54.1% Black
120K
Games
66
Theory Depth
4
Main Line Ply
Typical Structures
Isolated a-pawn for Black if b5 structure collapses
Classical hanging pawns on c5-d5 in some lines
Symmetrical or IQP positions after central exchanges
Key Motifs
...c5-c4 pawn break to fix White's bishop
Nd5 outpost after the c-file opens
b5-b4 queenside advance timing
Queen's-pawn structures where the right central break matters more than immediate tactics.
Balanced middlegames where transpositions and move-order nuance matter more than memorized traps.
Key Lines
Classical VariationThe main theoretical battleground — balanced and well-researched.
d4 d5 c4 dxc4 Nf3 Nf6 e3 e6 Bxc4 c5Czech VariationBlack plays ...c5 immediately, accelerating queenside counterplay.
d4 d5 c4 dxc4 Nf3 Nf6 e3 c5 Bxc4 e6Accelerated 3.e4White builds maximum center immediately; sharp and forcing.
d4 d5 c4 dxc4 e4 Nf6 e5 Nd5 Bxc4 Nb6What Usually Goes Wrong
Holding the c4 pawn too long with ...b5 creates structural weaknesses White can target for the rest of the game.
Black must equalize quickly — passive play lets White build an overwhelming center with d4-e4.
The d5 square can become a permanent outpost for White if Black's queenside pawns get misplaced.
Common Traps
Improper b5 Hold
Playing ...b5-b4 to keep the c4 pawn often backfires after c5 undermines the chain.
d4 d5 c4 dxc4 Nf3 Nf6 e3 b5 a4 c6 axb5 cxb5
White gets the a-file and queenside pressure after axb5 cxb5 Nc3 with b5-b4 threat.
Move Order & Transpositions
This named entry appears early, so many practical games continue by transposition after the listed move order.
How to Prepare
Learn the Classical Variation mainline (e3, Bxc4) thoroughly — it's White's most common approach.
Practice the ...a6 and ...b5 expansion plans against White's standard development.
Study IQP positions — Black often ends up with one after the opening resolves.
It stops fitting if you want White to force the game immediately instead of building the edge step by step.
Drill This Opening
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