Queen's Gambit AcceptedD26

Classical Defense, Normal Line

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O

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Every move explained, never a dead end.

Both sides plans

White's plan

Occupy the center, develop quickly, castle, then pick a wing.

Black's plan

Contest the center before White occupies all of it.

The line, move by move

1. d4d4 occupies the center.
... d5d5 occupies the center.
2. c4c4 strikes at the center.
... dxc4dxc4 captures a pawn, gains space.
3. Nf3Nf3 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
... Nf6Nf6 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
4. e3e3 controls d4.
... e6e6 controls d5.
5. Bxc4Bxc4 captures a pawn, develops the bishop and controls d5.
... c5c5 strikes at the center.
6. O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.

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Other major variations

The complete Queen's Gambit Accepted guide See all 58 variations in the branch map

Classical Defense, Normal Line (D26) · Queen's Gambit Accepted · OpeningMate