ECO D20 · for Black
Queen's Gambit Accepted
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
11,131,556 games in this band reached the Queen's Gambit Accepted position. From there Black won 42% and drew 4%.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e4 e6 5. Bxc4 Bb4
Moves 1 to 2
1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4
1. d4
The Queen's Pawn opening is more usually more positional in nature, White intends to develop the pieces while having a share of the center.
1... d5
Controlling the center and opening up the diagonal for the light-Squared bishop
2. c4
Immediately contesting the center. In most cases this is not a genuine gambit, since black can't retain the pawn without large concessions.
2... dxc4
Accepting the Queen's Gambit, which allows White to control the center with e4, but Black can counterattack later.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e4 e6
3. Nc3
Developing the knight and preventing b5 which would protect the extra pawn on c4.
- 3. e3: Both protecting the d4 pawn and attacking c4 at the same time.
- 3. e4: Gaining a very strong center for the sacrificed pawn.
3... Nf6
Developing the knight while aiming to pressure the center.
- 3... e6: Fighting for control of the d5 square and opening up the dark-squared bishop.
- 3... Nc6: Developing the knight while attacking the d4 pawn.
- 3... c6: Fighting for the d5 square and preparing b5 to protect the weak c4 pawn. Black will try to keep the extra pawn.
4. e4
Gaining space in the center while threatening to recapture the pawn on c4 with a large space advantage.
- 4. e3: Strengthening the center and threatening to capture on c4.
4... e6
Fighting for control of the center and allowing the dark-squared bishop to develop.
- 4... Nc6: Developing the knight and attacking White’s weak d4 pawn.
Move 5
5. Bxc4 Bb4
5. Bxc4
Capturing the c4 pawn and developing the bishop.
5... Bb4
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- Black typically castles kingside
- The bishop on b4 generally captures the knight on c3
- The knight on f6 often moves to d5
- The queenside knight can develop to c6 or d7
- The bishop on b4 often moves to e7
- A common pawn move is c5
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Queen's Gambit for White
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black