Queen's Pawn Game · D00
Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit, Morris Countergambit
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 c5 3. e4
The pawns on d5 and e4 stand in direct tension - the first player to resolve it chooses the structure.
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.