♔ whiteD06–D09

Queen's Gambit

The Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4) is one of the most respected and classical openings in chess. White offers a pawn to undermine Black's center control, but it's not a true gambit — capturing with ...dxc4 lets White recapture easily.

Loading...

Variations

About the Queen's Gambit

The Queen's Gambit has been a cornerstone of chess strategy for centuries and was popularized by the Netflix series of the same name. After 2.c4, Black can accept (2...dxc4), decline (2...e6), or play the Slav (2...c6). Each leads to distinct types of positions. The gambit pawn on c4 can usually be recovered while White gains central control and piece activity.

Key Ideas

  • c4 challenges Black's d5 pawn — the key tension
  • The pawn on c4 can usually be recovered
  • After ...dxc4, play e3 or e4 to reclaim the center
  • Develop naturally: Nc3, Nf3, Bg5 or Bf4
  • The minority attack (a4-b5) is a key plan in many QG structures

Related Openings

Queen's Gambit DeclinedQueen's Gambit AcceptedSlav DefenseLondon System

Ready to master the Queen's Gambit?

Import this one or your own lines from YouTube, Lichess, or PGN and train with spaced repetition.