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    Chess Openings

    Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line

    1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bb3 Bb7 · ECO D29

    Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bb3 Bb7. White: pawn on d4, bishop on b3, pawn on e3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, queen on e2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, knight on b1, bishop on c1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, rook on h8, bishop on b7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on a6, pawn on e6, knight on f6, pawn on b5, pawn on c5.

    Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bb3 Bb7. It is classified D29 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.

    This position can also be reached by another move order, including 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bb3 Bb7 9.Nc3.

    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 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bb3 Bb7.

    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 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bb3 Bb7. Open any of them to load the position on the board.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line?
    The Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bb3 Bb7. It is classified D29 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, Alekhine System, Main Line?
    1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bb3 Bb7. After these moves it is white to move.
    Is the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line 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, Alekhine System, Main Line?
    Named continuations include Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Smyslov Variation. There are 1 named variations reachable from this position in total.