ChessLab Academy
Queen's Gambit (D06)
Queen's Gambit is an opening for White. Level: Beginner. Main line: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 O-O 6.Nf3.
Learn it with the spoken coachPractise it from memoryThe main line, move by move
- 1. d4: White takes the centre with the queen's pawn.
- 1… d5: Black does the same.
- 2. c4: The "gambit": White offers the c-pawn to pull Black's d-pawn away from the centre.
- 2… e6: Black declines and holds d5 with a pawn. This is the Queen's Gambit Declined.
- 3. Nc3: The knight develops and adds pressure to d5.
- 3… Nf6: Black develops and defends d5 again.
- 4. Bg5: The bishop pins the knight to the queen, which weakens Black's hold on d5.
- 4… Be7: Black breaks the pin by putting the bishop between the knight and the queen.
- 5. e3: White opens a path for the light-squared bishop.
- 5… O-O: Black castles.
- 6. Nf3: White develops the last knight. Both sides have a solid position.
Ideas for White
Use the c4 pawn to fight for the centre, develop fast, and often press on the queenside with a "minority attack" (b4-b5).
Ideas for Black
Hold d5 with ...e6 or ...c6, or take the pawn and give it back while developing. Later free the game with ...c5 or ...e5.
Typical plans
- White: Rc1, Bd3 and pressure on the c-file.
- White: b4-b5 against Black's queenside pawns.
- Black: ...c5 or ...e5 to free the position.
Common mistakes
- Black trying to keep the c4 pawn with ...b5 (see the Queen's Gambit Accepted Trap).
- White taking on d5 with the knight when the pin on f6 is not real (see the Elephant Trap).
Variations
Queen's Gambit Declined (2...e6), Queen's Gambit Accepted (2...dxc4), Slav Defence (2...c6).
Traps in this opening
Quick check
Is the Queen's Gambit a real pawn sacrifice?
Answer: Not really: White can usually win the pawn back. If Black takes on c4 and tries to keep the pawn, White usually wins it back with e3 and Bxc4, or with a4.