What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense?

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5. After these moves it is white to move.

What variations come from the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense?

Named continuations include Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Normal Line, Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Main Line, Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Steinitz Variation, Development Variation, Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Steinitz Variation, Exchange Variation, Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Alekhine System. There are 11 named variations reachable from this position in total.

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Chess Openings

Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 · ECO D26

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Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5. It is classified D26 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Queen's Gambit Accepted takes the offered c4 pawn. Black does not intend to hold it — attempting to do so with b5 usually costs more than the pawn is worth — but instead gives up the centre temporarily to develop quickly and strike back with c5 or e5.

Strategic character

White regains the pawn and builds a strong centre, while Black gets free piece play and a clear plan of undermining that centre. Positions are more open than in the Declined, with less structural tension and more immediate piece activity.

Who should play it

Players who prefer active piece play to structural manoeuvring and want less theory than the Declined lines require.

This line is a variation within the Queen's Gambit Accepted family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5.

Variations continuing from this position

Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5. Open any of them to load the position on the board.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense?: The Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5. It is classified D26 in the ECO system. The Queen's Gambit Accepted takes the offered c4 pawn. Black does not intend to hold it — attempting to do so with b5 usually costs more than the pawn is worth — but instead gives up the centre temporarily to develop quickly and strike back with c5 or e5.
What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense?: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense good for beginners?: Players who prefer active piece play to structural manoeuvring and want less theory than the Declined lines require.
What variations come from the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense?: Named continuations include Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Normal Line, Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Main Line, Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Steinitz Variation, Development Variation, Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Steinitz Variation, Exchange Variation, Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Alekhine System. There are 11 named variations reachable from this position in total.