Queen's Gambit Accepted · D20

Central Variation, McDonnell Defense, Somov Gambit

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. Bxc4

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as White's avenue and the d-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. ...dxc4 gives up the centre to gain time against the loose c4-pawn and hit back with ...c5 - an open, piece-driven game rather than a structural one.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. c4 Challenges the pawn on d5 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Queen's Gambit: development and initiative over material.
• 2... dxc4 Takes the pawn on c4, toward the centre and opens the d-file for the queen. Theory calls this the Queen's Gambit Accepted.

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