Plychess
Classic Opening

Queen's Gambit

A classic chess opening where White offers a pawn to gain control of the center. The foundation of positional chess understanding.

ECO: D06-D69PositionalClosed Game
Main Line Moves
The Queen's Gambit structure
1.d4

White stakes a claim in the center.

1...d5

Black mirrors, controlling the center.

2.c4

The Queen's Gambit! White offers a pawn to undermine Black's d5.

2...dxc4

Queen's Gambit Accepted - Black takes the pawn and holds onto it.

3.Nf3

White develops and prepares to recover the pawn.

3...Nf6

Black develops naturally. The battle begins.

=Intermediate
Queen's Gambit Declined
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6

The classic response. Black supports d5 and maintains the center. The most theoretical variation.

Analyze
=Intermediate
Slav Defense
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6

A solid defense where Black supports d5 with c6. Preserves the light-squared bishop.

Analyze
=Intermediate
Queen's Gambit Accepted
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4

Black takes the pawn and tries to hold it. Leads to active piece play.

Analyze
=/∞Advanced
Semi-Slav Defense
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6

A hybrid of the Declined and Slav. Rich in theory and sharp possibilities.

Analyze
±Advanced
Albin Countergambit
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5

A sharp gambit where Black sacrifices a pawn for active play. Dangerous but risky.

Analyze

Master the Queen's Gambit with Pro

Save Queen's Gambit variations to your repertoire and practice with spaced repetition.

Related Concepts & Tools

Related Openings

Understand the Queen's Gambit, not just the moves

The Queen's Gambit appears in manuscripts from the fifteenth century and became a cornerstone of classical chess. The c-pawn offer aims to remove Black's d5 pawn rather than win by a quick sacrifice.

Core plan

White builds pressure on d5 and seeks e4; Black completes development and uses ...c5 or ...e5 to free the position.

Ask at the board: Can White prepare e4, and which freeing break should Black choose?

Common mistake

Trying to keep the extra c4 pawn at all costs can leave Black behind in development; White should not recover it at the expense of central control.

Interactive model line

Step through the position, drag pieces to test alternatives, then open the same line in Stockfish.

8br
bn
bb
bq
bk
bb
bn
br
7bp
bp
bp
bp
bp
bp
bp
bp
6
5
4
3
2wp
wp
wp
wp
wp
wp
wp
wp
1awr
bwn
cwb
dwq
ewk
fwb
gwn
hwr
Study path
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-OAnalyze this line with Stockfish