Openings · plays Black

The Queen's Gambit Accepted

2...dxc4 grabs the pawn not to keep it, but to trade the centre for activity. Free your light-squared bishop, hit d4 with ...c5, and play the open, natural chess the QGD never lets you.

Step through the main line

The lines

The Main Line (...c5 & ...a6)

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6 7. dxc5 Qxd1 8. Rxd1 Bxc5

The Classical 7.a4

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6 7. a4 Nc6 8. Qe2 cxd4 9. Rd1 Be7 10. exd4 O-O

The Central 3.e4

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 exd4 5. Bxc4 Nc6 6. O-O Be6 7. Bxe6 fxe6 8. Qb3 Qd7

How this guide is made: the lines and explanations come from the authored Strong Squares repertoire curriculum. Automated checks verify legal move sequences and required teaching fields. Independent chess-editor approval remains a private-preview release gate. Read the teaching method.