Queen's Gambit

1.d4 d5 2.c4 · D06–D69

Starting positionWhite to move

0 / 3

Deflect the d-pawn, then recover c4

The idea

White offers the c-pawn to deflect Black's d5 pawn, aiming to own the centre — not a real gambit, because the pawn is almost always recovered.

Main line: 1.d4 d5 2.c4

What White wants

Recover c4 with Bxc4 while building the centre
Use central space and active development after ...dxc4
Choose exchanges according to the pawn structure they leave

What Black wants

Hold d5 with ...e6 or ...c6, or accept with ...dxc4
If accepting, develop and challenge White's centre with ...c5
Keep the extra pawn only when its defence does not delay development

Key idea

Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.

Deflect the d-pawn, then recover c4

The c4 pawn challenges d5. If Black accepts with ...dxc4, White can develop with Nf3 and e3 before Bxc4, or use e4 to occupy the centre. e4 does not itself recover a pawn: the gambit's practical point is space and development.

Common mistake

Assuming the c4 pawn can be recovered without preparation. After ...dxc4, use development and central pressure to regain it; repeated queen moves or an unsupported pawn chase can let Black keep the material while completing the pieces.

Representative position

The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.

rnbqkbnr/ppp1pppp/8/3p4/2PP4/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 2

Analyze this position

Variations

2 lines branching from here.

Related openings

Queen's Gambit Accepted1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 · D20–D29Black takes the pawn and gives up the centre, planning to develop freely and hit back with ...c5 and ...b5.Queen's Gambit Declined1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 · D30–D69Black holds d5 with ...e6 and accepts a slightly cramped but extremely solid position — the classical answer to 1.d4 for over a century.Slav Defense1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 · D10–D19Black defends d5 with the c-pawn instead of the e-pawn, keeping the bishop on c8 free to develop actively to f5.Catalan Opening1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 · E01–E09White combines the Queen's Gambit with a kingside fianchetto, aiming the bishop down the long diagonal at Black's queenside.Queen's Pawn Opening1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 · D00–D69White stakes a claim in the centre with the queen's pawn and immediately challenges Black's d5 — the solid, positional counterpart to 1.e4.