The Queen's Gambit
Offer the c-pawn to pull Black's centre off d5, then dominate with pieces. The backbone of classical chess: and a Netflix star.
The practical plan
White offers the c-pawn to draw Black's d-pawn away from the centre, then develops rapidly and presses the central and queenside squares. The strategic aim matters more than recovering the pawn immediately.
Typical pawn structure
Accepted lines can leave Black defending an extra pawn while White gains time and central influence. Declined lines often revolve around the c-file, the e4 break and the minority attack.
A common mistake to avoid
Do not treat the Queen's Gambit as a one-move pawn trick. Develop the pieces and prepare the correct central break instead of chasing the c-pawn with the queen.
Step through the main line
The lines
Queen's Gambit Declined
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4
Queen's Gambit Accepted
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
vs the Slav
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4
The Exchange Variation
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. e3 Be7 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Qc2
vs the Tarrasch
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O
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.