The moves you’ll play
- 1.d4d5
- 2.c4dxc4
- 3.e4e5
- 4.Nf3exd4
- 5.Bxc4Nc6
- 6.O-OBe6
- 7.Bxe6fxe6
- 8.Qb3
The line continues — master it move by move in the app.
Your coach, move by move
- 1. d4We open with the queen's pawn for central control.
- 2. c4We seize the center, daring Black to challenge it immediately with ...e5.
- 3. e4We develop with tempo, attacking the e5-pawn and inviting Black to release the tension.
- +4 more coached moves waiting in the app
Key ideas behind this line
- White: do not rush to regain the c4 pawn by force. Develop with Nf3, e3 and Bxc4, castle quickly, and let superior development do the work.
- White: be happy to accept an isolated queen's pawn after ...cxd4, exd4. Use the d4 pawn for space, the d5 and e5 outposts, and piece-driven kingside attacks.
- White: play a4 to restrain Black's typical ...b5 and ...Bb7 queenside expansion; the dxc5 exchange is a calm way to ease into a comfortable structure.
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More lines in this opening
QGA Classical Main Line: 7...b5 8.Bb3
The classical main line: White recaptures the pawn with Bxc4, develops naturally, and after dxc5 reaches a clean isolated/symmetric structure with easy development and pressure on e6 and the d-file.
QGA Classical: 7...b5 Expansion, 8.Bb3 Bb7
When Black plays the standard ...a6 and ...c5, White inserts a4 to restrain the ...b5 queenside expansion, then develops with Qe2 and Rd1 against the isolated structure.
QGA Furman Variation: 5.Bxc4 c5 6.Qe2
The Furman move-order with an early Qe2: White delays castling, supports an eventual e4 break, and after dxc5 enjoys quick development against Black's hanging center.
QGA Central Variation: 3.e4 main line
The aggressive 3.e4 Central Variation: White builds a big pawn center, kicks the knight, and develops harmoniously, banking on space and the bishop pair to press Black.
QGA Central: 3.e4 c5 Transposition
When Black strikes with 3...c5, White advances d5 to keep the center and after the sharp ...b5 lines uses tactics on the dark squares to win material or seize a strong center.
QGA Classical: 7.dxc5 with ...Qxd1
If Black offers an early queen trade after dxc5, White recaptures with the rook onto the open d-file, keeping a small, durable edge thanks to better development into the endgame.
QGA: 3.Nf3 a6 (Anti-...e6 setup)
Black's early ...a6 prepares queenside expansion; White ignores it with healthy development and reaches the same favorable classical structures after dxc5.
QGA Mannheim Variation: 4.Qa4+
The Mannheim Variation: White checks on a4 to regain the c4-pawn while disrupting Black's coordination, then builds a strong center and harasses Black's misplaced pieces.
QGA Classical: ...b5 Greco Variation
A solid classical line where Black holds back with ...Be7 instead of grabbing on d4; White keeps the tension, completes development, and aims for Rd1 and a timely d4-d5 or dxc5 break.
QGA: 4...Bg4 Pin Line
Black pins the knight with ...Bg4 to ease the pressure on the center; White challenges with h3, completes development, and after the standard ...c5 reaches a comfortable game with the bishop pair in hand.
QGA Smyslov Variation: 4.e3 g6
The Smyslov setup fianchettoes the bishop; White develops classically and then clamps the center with d5, gaining space and shutting down the g7-bishop's diagonal.
QGA: 3.Nf3 e6 4.e3 c5 5.Bxc4 (IQP Setup)
The mainstream tabiya: White develops with Qe2 and Rd1 to pile on the d-file, preparing dxc5 and a possible d-pawn or e4 break against Black's hanging-pawn structure.
QGA: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 (Two Knights)
A direct two-knights approach where White answers ...a6/...b5 with the central e4-e5 thrust, dissolving Black's queenside pawns and building a strong mobile center.