Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical, Flohr Variation 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 Nc6 9.Rd1 c4 10.Bc2 Nb4 11.Nc3 Nxc2 12.Qxc2 Bb7 13.d5 Qc7. White: pawn on d5, knight on c3, pawn on e3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, queen on c2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, rook on d1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, king on e8, bishop on f8, rook on h8, bishop on b7, queen on c7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on a6, pawn on e6, knight on f6, pawn on b5, pawn on c4.
Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical, Flohr Variation 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 Nc6 9.Rd1 c4 10.Bc2 Nb4 11.Nc3 Nxc2 12.Qxc2 Bb7 13.d5 Qc7. It is classified D28 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 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bb3 Nc6 9.Rd1 c4 10.Bc2 Nb4 11.Nc3 Nxc2 12.Qxc2 Bb7 13.d5 Qc7.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical, Flohr Variation?
The Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical, Flohr Variation 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 Nc6 9.Rd1 c4 10.Bc2 Nb4 11.Nc3 Nxc2 12.Qxc2 Bb7 13.d5 Qc7. It is classified D28 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, Flohr Variation?
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bb3 Nc6 9.Rd1 c4 10.Bc2 Nb4 11.Nc3 Nxc2 12.Qxc2 Bb7 13.d5 Qc7. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical, Flohr Variation good for beginners?
Players who prefer active piece play to structural manoeuvring and want less theory than the Declined lines require.