Queen's Pawn Game · D00
Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit Accepted
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 c5 3. dxc5
An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as Black's avenue and the d-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it.
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. Bf4 Develops the bishop to f4, eyeing e5. Theory calls this the Accelerated London System.
- 2... c5 Challenges the pawn on d4 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Steinitz Countergambit: development and initiative over material.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 82 in the Queen's Pawn Game. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.