Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3. White: pawn on d4, pawn on e3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, knight on b1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, knight on g1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, knight on g8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on e7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on c4.
Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3. It is classified D20 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black 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.e3.
Variations continuing from this position
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3. Open any of them to load the position on the board.
What is the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation?
The Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3. It is classified D20 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: Old Variation?
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation 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: Old Variation?
Named continuations include Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation, Billinger Gambit, Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation, Christensen Gambit, Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation, Korchnoi Gambit, Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation, Novikov Gambit, Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Russian Gambit. There are 5 named variations reachable from this position in total.