Recommended level: Players familiar with algebraic notation and fundamental development principles.
Guiding thread: Play principled chess — keep the c4 pawn, develop logically, and target White's isolated d4 pawn.
Table of Contents
- 1. General Idea
- 2. The Position Type
- 3. Overview of White's Responses
- Part I — The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (2.e4)
- Part II — The Veresov Attack and Jobava London (2.Nc3)
- Part III — The Torre Attack and the 3.g3 System
- Part IV — The 3.e3 System
- Part V — The London System
- Part VI — White's Third Moves After 2...dxc4
- Part VII — The Critical Line 3.e4
- Recurring Motifs
- Revision Sheet
Objective. This guide presents a complete repertoire for Black against 1.d4, based on the Queen's Gambit Accepted. Variations and plans are presented practically, with particular attention to critical positions, pawn breaks, and typical maneuvers.
1. General Idea
The Queen's Gambit Accepted is an opening that primarily teaches principled chess: sound positions arising from logical moves. Black's original concept is simple: after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4, Black accepts the pawn, then plays ...c5 and ...cxd4 to give White an isolated d4 pawn.
The underlying strategic idea: the c4 pawn is kept, then Black develops pieces toward a center that White must constantly monitor. When White prevents the ...b5-...Bb7 plan, Black plays ...cxd4 and plays against the isolated d4 pawn.
To remember. The Queen's Gambit Accepted is perfectly respectable at all levels: it is occasionally employed by the world's best players, and studying it improves general chess understanding.
Guiding Principles
- Keep the c4 pawn as long as possible.
- Develop with logical moves: ...Nf6, ...e6, ...a6, ...b5, ...Bb7, ...Nbd7, ...Be7, then castle.
- If White stops ...b5, play ...cxd4 and play against the isolated d4 pawn.
- In the 3.e3 system, copy White's development (the "copying" principle).
- Use the ...e5 break in positions where White's center is contestable.
- Know the traps of club gambits and attacks (2.e4, 2.Bg5, 2.Nc3, 3.Bg5).
2. The Position Type
The starting position of the classical line of the repertoire is:
Base sequence: 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6.
Key position. This is the starting position of the classical QGA line. Black's main plan is to develop with ...b5, ...Bb7, ...Nbd7, ...Be7 and castle. If White prevents ...b5, Black plays ...cxd4 and plays against the isolated d4 pawn.
The most critical move in the entire theory is however 3.e4, which is the subject of Part VII: a fresh idea, rarely played, gives Black equality.
3. Overview of White's Responses
The repertoire is organized into seven major families:
- 2.e4: the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, frequent online.
- 2.Nc3: the Jobava London (3.Bf4) and the Veresov Attack (3.Bg5).
- 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5: the Torre Attack.
- 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3: the fianchetto system, used at the highest level.
- 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3: the solid system based on "copying."
- The London System (3.Bf4), including its many sub-variations.
- White's third moves after 2...dxc4: 3.Nf3, 3.e3, 3.e4, and the moves 4.g3, 4.Na3, 4.Qa4+ against 3.Nf3.
Part I — The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (2.e4)
4. Accepting the Sacrifice
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is an ill-advised sacrifice: if Black knows how to handle it, it is relatively easy to obtain an advantage.
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
The recommended move is active development 4...Bf5, which gives Black the advantage without suffering a development lag:
4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4
The continuation:
5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.Qxb7 Be4!
Key position. The White queen is trapped: ...Be4 wins a piece. The knight is not recaptured on c3 — Black targets the queen directly.
If White prefers to recapture on c3:
6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 e6 8.Qxb7 Nd7
Black has returned the pawn, but they possess better development. The plan is simple: ...Bd6, ...O-O, then ...c5 will pose problems for White in the center.
Against 6...Nxc3 7.Qxf5:
7...e6
Black will simply retreat the knight to d5 and remain a pawn up, with no compensation for White.
Part II — The Veresov Attack and Jobava London (2.Nc3)
5. The Veresov Attack (3.Bg5)
1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5 h6
The move ...h6 is the simple solution: Black forces the bishop to capture on f6, which gives Black the bishop pair without truly damaging their structure.
3.Bg5 h6 4.Bxf6 exf6 5.e3 c6 6.Bd3 g6
Key idea. Black has a very comfortable position. The most important plan is to place a pawn on f5 and push ...h5-h4: White will always have to watch the kingside. The bishop pair is a lasting asset.
6. The Jobava London (3.Bf4)
The Jobava London is popular in blitz and rapid. White often wants to develop the queenside quickly and castle long.
Against the Premature Attack 4.Nb5
1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.Nb5 Qa5+!
The check forces the knight to retreat:
4.Nb5 Qa5+ 5.Nc3 cxd4 6.Qxd4 Nc6 7.Qa4 Qxa4 8.Nxa4 e5
Black possesses a powerful center and the knight on a4 is poorly placed. White's position is very difficult.
Against 4.e3
1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 cxd4 5.Nb5 Qa5+ 6.c3 dxc3
7.Nc7+ Kd8 8.b4 Qxb4 9.Nxa8 c2+ 10.Qd2 e5 11.Bxe5 Nc6
12.Bxf6+ gxf6
Key position. Despite being a rook down, Black is totally winning: the threats of ...Bf5, ...Qb1 and ...Bb4 are decisive, and the White knight on a8 is trapped. The sacrificed rook was not sacrificed for nothing.
Part III — The Torre Attack and the 3.g3 System
7. The Torre Attack (2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5)
Black immediately takes active measures:
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5 Ne4!
Against 4.Bh4
The bishop is somewhat poorly placed on h4, and Black exploits this:
4.Bh4 Qd6!
The plan is ...Qh6 then ...g5-g4. The continuation:
5.Nbd2 Qh6 6.e3 g5 7.Bg3 Nxg3 8.fxg3 g4
Black is already in a winning position.
Against 4.Bh4 and 5.c4
4.Bh4 Qd6 5.c4 Qb6 6.Qc1 e5 7.dxe5 Bb4+ 8.Nbd2 Qh6
The f3 knight will be overloaded. Black has obtained exactly what they wanted: the queen on h6 and the threats of ...g5-...Nxg3 that damage White's structure.
8. The 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 System
This is a common system at the highest level. The recommended response is simple development:
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 Bf5
Black wants to develop with ...e6, ...c6, ...h6, ...Nbd7, ...Be7 and castle.
After 4.c4 e6 5.Qb3
5...Nc6 6.a3 Be7 7.Bg2 O-O 8.Bd2 dxc4 9.Qxc4 Be4
10.e3 e5
Key idea. The bishop on e4 exerts pressure on the d4 pawn and the f3 knight is pinned. White cannot capture on e5 for tactical reasons (11.dxe5 Nxe5), and otherwise ...exd4 destroys White's central structure.
After 4.c4 e6 5.Nc3
The move order Nc3 hides an idea: if Black plays ...c6 too early, Nh4 will target the f5 bishop. The defense:
5...h6!
...h6 reserves the h7 square for the bishop if White plays Nh4. The continuation:
5.Nc3 h6 6.Bg2 c6 7.Qb3 Qb6 8.c5 Qxb3 9.axb3 Na6
The knight heads to b4, a nice square. The endgame after 10.Ne5 Nb4 11.Ra4 a5 is equal, with chances for both sides.
Part IV — The 3.e3 System
9. The Copying Principle
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Bd3
Black simply copies what White does:
4.Bd3 Be7 5.O-O O-O 6.b3 b6 7.Bb2 Bb7 8.Nbd2 Nbd7
Key idea. If White does not create something concrete, the position becomes very equal. Black wants to play ...c5. The typical White move is Ne5, preparing f4 and Qf3 against the Black king.
Black's response to the typical move:
9.Ne5 Nxe5
...Nxe5 is only possible because the Black bishop is on e7. The continuation:
10.dxe5 Ne4 11.f4 g6
Key position. The e4 knight cannot be taken (dxe4 would come with tempo), and it blocks the d3 bishop's diagonal toward the Black king. ...g6 stops f5 and ends the kingside attack. Black then has several plans: ...c5, ...a5-a4, and at the right moment ...f5.
Part V — The London System
10. The Basic Structure
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 e6 5.c3 Bd6
This system is one of the most common. Black seeks to complete development with ...O-O, then ...Qc7, ...Nbd7 and ...e5 to equalize.
11. Against the Critical Move 6.Bb5+
6.Bb5+ Nc6 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.Bxd6 Qxd6
White gives up their bishop in hopes of a long-term positional game. Black's only problem is the doubled pawn — but if they manage to get rid of it, they are more than happy.
After 9.Qa4
9.Qa4 O-O 10.O-O cxd4 11.cxd4 c5!
Black finally eliminates their doubled c-pawn:
12.Rc1 cxd4 13.Qxd4 Bd7 14.Nbd2 Rfb8
The plan is clear: ...a5-a4 and ...Qb6 to pressure the b2 pawn.
After 9.Qa4 and 10.Qa3
9.Qa4 O-O 10.Qa3 Ne4! 11.Nbd2 cxd4 12.Qxd6 Nxd6 13.cxd4 Rb8
...Ne4 protects both the queen and the pawn. The continuation:
14.b3 Ba6 15.Rc1 Rfc8
Key idea. ...Ba6 prevents the White king from castling, making it difficult for the h1 rook to enter the game. All Black's pieces are developed and Black slowly prepares ...c5.
12. Secondary Lines with 5.c3
Against 6.Bg3
6.Bg3 O-O 7.Nbd2 Qc7 8.Ne5 Nbd7 9.f4 b5!
The novelty ...b5 gives Black quick counterplay on the queenside:
10.Bd3 b4 11.O-O bxc3 12.bxc3 a5 13.Qe2 Qa7
Black's pawns roll on the queenside and ...Ba6 will exchange the powerful d3 bishop. The middlegame is comfortable for Black.
Against 6.Nbd2
6.Nbd2 O-O 7.Bd3 Bxf4 8.exf4 Qb6 9.Rb1 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Qc7
11.g3 e5 12.fxe5 Qxe5+ 13.Qe2 Qc7
Key idea. Black keeps queens on the board with an isolated pawn: this is a very good version of the isolated pawn position, clearly better than the typically slightly inferior standard position. The d3 bishop would be better placed on g2. Black finishes with ...Re8, ...Nc6 and ...Bg4.
Against 5.Nbd2
5.Nbd2 Qb6 6.Rb1 Bd7 7.c4 cxd4 8.exd4 dxc4 9.Nxc4 Bb4+
10.Bd2 Bxd2+ 11.Qxd2 Qa6 12.Qb4 Nc6 13.Nd6+ Ke7
14.Qc5 Qa5+
Black is on time to exchange queens and obtain the best endgame.
Part VI — White's Third Moves After 2...dxc4
13. Against 3.c4 dxc4 4.g3
This move is a trap: if Black plays the classical ...e6, the game transposes into the Catalan, which they do not want. The response:
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.g3 Nc6!
The idea is to play ...e5:
5.Bg2 e5 6.Qa4 exd4 7.Nxd4 Qxd4 8.Bxc6+ Nd7 9.Bg2 c6
Black is clearly better thanks to their material advantage. They complete development with ...Nb6, ...Be6, ...Be7 and ...O-O.
14. Against 4.Na3
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.Na3 e5!
Black immediately highlights the strange position of the a3 knight:
5.Nxe5 Bxa3 6.bxa3 b5 7.e3 a6
Key idea. Normally, the c4 pawn is a weakness in the QGA — here, it is an asset. Black is better and follows with ...Bb7, ...O-O and ...Nbd7.
15. Against 4.Qa4+
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.Qa4+ Nc6
Black avoids the transposition into the Slav and targets the ...e5 break:
5.Qxc4 e5 6.dxe5 Be6 7.Qh4 Nd7 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Bxe7 Qxe7
10.Qxe7+ Kxe7
Black has no problems in this endgame, which is equal with precise play.
Part VII — The Critical Line 3.e4
16. The New Idea ...b5 and the Main Line
3.e4 is the move that scared QGA players. The recommended response is to keep the pawn with active development:
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 b5 4.a4 c6 5.axb5 cxb5
Black maintains a solid pawn structure. The main move is:
6.Nc3 Qb6!
Key position. The queen on b6 defends the b5 pawn and claims the material advantage. At first glance, it seems to walk into Nd5 with tempo — but that is precisely the idea: this position has been proven sound by analysis.
17. The Critical Line 7.Nd5
7.Nd5 Qb7 8.Bf4 e5!
The pawn sacrifice ...e5 gains a tempo and opens the f8 bishop's diagonal:
9.Bxe5 Nd7!
Key idea. ...Nd7 develops, attacks the e5 bishop and prevents Nc7. The position is very sharp and it is essential to memorize the moves.
The Checkmate Trap
If White plays too greedily:
10.Nc7+? Kd8 11.Nxa8?? Bb4+! 12.Ke2 Qxe4#
Checkmate on the twelfth move! The queen on b7, bishop on b4 and the captured rook on a8 work together.
The Forced Main Line
10.Bf4 Ngf6 11.Nc7+ Kd8 12.Nxa8 Qxe4+ 13.Ne2 Qxa8
Key position. Black has a knight and a pawn for the rook. The White king is cut off from castling, Black's pieces are well placed (or will be), and above all Black has the magnificent d5 square: the knight will be placed there, highlighting White's isolated d4 pawn.
The model continuation:
14.f3 Nd5 15.Bd2 Bd6 16.Ng3 Qb8 17.Kf2 Bc7
The bishop returns to d6 to pressure the d4 pawn; if White exchanges the dark-squared bishops, their dark squares become vulnerable.
Aronian's Idea 15.Bg5+
14.f3 Nd5 15.Bg5+ f6 16.Bd2 Bd6 17.Ng3 Qb8 18.Be2
Bxg3+ 19.hxg3 Qxg3+ 20.Kf1 a6
The position is roughly equal: the knight and Black's two pawns are not worth less than the rook. The d5 knight must be supported at all costs — it holds the position together.
Against 10.Bg3
10.Bg3 Ngf6 11.Nc7+ Kd8 12.f3 Bb4+ 13.Kf2 Nxe4+
14.fxe4 Nf6 15.Bxc4 bxc4 16.Nxa8 Nxe4+ 17.Kf1 Nd2+
18.Kf2 Ne4+
Repetition: both sides have played the best moves and the game ends in a threefold repetition.
18. Other White Seventh Moves
The move 6...Qb6 leaves four logical White moves: 7.Nd5, 7.Be3, 7.Be2 and 7.b3. Against 7.Be3 and 7.Be2, the Black queen remains well placed on b6, defending b5 and watching the center. Against 7.b3, the response is not to open the position:
7.b3 e5!
Black is in good shape after having contested the center.
19. Against 5.Nc3 and 5.b3 (Before axb5)
Against 5.Nc3
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 b5 4.a4 c6 5.Nc3 b4
Black pushes the knight back. The retreats 6.Nce2 and 6.Nb1 are the most important.
After 6.Nce2:
6.Nce2 e6 7.Ng3 Ba6 8.Be3 c5 9.dxc5 Nd7
Black recovers the c5 pawn and remains well.
After 6.Nb1 (the most tenacious move):
6.Nb1 Ba6 7.Qc2 e5!
The ...e5 break is a common idea, made possible by the delay in developing the f3 knight:
8.Nf3 b3 9.Qc3 exd4 10.Nxd4 Nf6 11.f3 Nbd7
12.Be3 Ne5 13.Nd2 Qb8 14.Qa5 Bc8 15.Bf4 Nfd7
16.Bxe5 Nxe5 17.f4 Bd6 18.fxe5 Bb4
White must return the piece after 19.Nxc6 Bxa5 20.Nxb8 Rxb8.
If White chooses the exposed king line 13.Nf5:
13.Nf5 Nfd7 14.Nd2 Rb8 15.f4 Bb4 16.Qd4 Bc5
17.Qc3 Bb4
Both sides can conclude by repetition; this is the best result for Black.
Against 5.b3
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 b5 4.a4 c6 5.b3 e5!
Being a pawn up, this move is not really a sacrifice: it is an excellent idea to unbalance the center. Black must not exchange queens too early (...Qxd1 would lead to a slightly inferior endgame); the tension must be maintained.
After 6.Nf3:
6.Nf3 exd4 7.bxc4 bxa4
Black is better thanks to their material advantage.
After 6.dxe5:
6.dxe5 Bb4+ 7.Bd2 Bc5
Key idea. ...Bb4+ has chased the bishop to a worse square. Black threatens ...Qd4 and White cannot exchange queens. The model continuation: 8.Nf3 Ne7 9.b4 Bb6 10.Nc3 O-O 11.axb5 Be6, then 12.Be2 cxb5 13.Nxb5 Ng6 14.O-O Nc6 15.Bc3 Qe7 — the position is roughly equal, White cannot defend their weak e5 and b4 pawns.
Against 5.axb5 cxb5 6.b3
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 b5 4.a4 c6 5.axb5 cxb5 6.b3 e5!
7.Nf3 exd4 8.Qxd4 Nc6 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.bxc4 b4
Key position. This endgame is much more pleasant to play for Black: their connected pawns could become very dangerous. Followed by ...Nf6 and ...a5.
Recurring Motifs to Remember
The c4 Pawn: Weakness or Asset
- In the classical QGA, the c4 pawn is a weakness that Black exchanges for development freedom.
- In the 3.e4 b5 lines, Black's pawn structure (...b5, ...c6) is an asset: Black keeps it as long as possible.
- In the 4.Na3 e5 line, the c4 pawn becomes an asset that supports Black's plan.
The Isolated d4 Pawn
The original concept of the QGA: play ...c5 then ...cxd4 to give White an isolated d4 pawn. Once the pawn is exchanged, Black plays against the weak squares surrounding it.
Pawn Breaks
- ...e5: the recurring central break, used against 3.e4 b5 (lines with 6.Nb1, 5.b3, 4.Na3, 4.g3) and in the 3.e3 system via the e4 knight.
- ...c5: the classical QGA and London System break.
- ...b5: the queenside expansion to keep the c4 pawn and develop the bishop to b7.
Traps to Know
- Blackmar-Diemer: 4...Bf5, then ...Nxe4 and the decisive ...Be4 against the queen.
- Jobava London: ...Qa5+ against Nb5, with the ...cxd4-...dxc3-...c2+ maneuver.
- Torre: the ...Qd6-...Qh6-...g5-g4 plan against the h4 bishop.
- 3.e4 b5 line: the ...Bb4+-...Qxe4# checkmate if White captures the rook on a8.
Typical Maneuvers
- Black queen: ...Qb6 (pressure on b2 and d4, defends b5), ...Qa5+ (Jobava), ...Qc7 (London).
- b8 knight: to d7, then possibly b6-c4; to c6 against 4.g3 or 4.Qa4+.
- Light-squared bishop: on f5 (3.g3 system), on a6 (3.e4 b5 lines), on b7 (classical development).
- Kings: short castling almost systematically, except in the main 3.e4 line where the Black king stays in the center (on d8) to support the attack.
Revision Sheet
Move Orders
- Against 2.e4: accept the gambit, then 4...Bf5, ...Nxe4 and ...Be4.
- Against 2.Bg5 (Hodgson): ...f6, ...Nh6, then the knight to f5.
- Against 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5 (Veresov): ...h6, ...exf6, bishop pair.
- Against 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4 (Jobava): ...c5, then ...Qa5+.
- Against 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5 (Torre): ...Ne4, then the ...Qd6-...Qh6 plan.
- Against 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3: ...Bf5, with ...h6 if Nc3.
- Against 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3: copy development, ...Nxe5-...Ne4, ...g6.
- Against the London: ...c5, ...e6, ...Bd6, get rid of the doubled pawn.
- Against 2...dxc4 3.e4: ...b5, ...c6, then ...Qb6.
Plans to Memorize
| White's Response | Black's Plan |
|---|---|
| 2.e4 (Blackmar-Diemer) | ...dxe4, ...Bf5, ...Nxe4, then ...Be4 |
| 2.Bg5 (Hodgson) | ...f6, ...Nh6-f5, ...h5-h4 |
| 2.Nc3 3.Bg5 (Veresov) | ...h6, ...exf6, bishop pair, ...f5 |
| 2.Nc3 3.Bf4 (Jobava) | ...c5, ...Qa5+, center and knight a4 misplaced |
| 2.Nf3 3.Bg5 (Torre) | ...Ne4, ...Qd6-h6, ...g5-g4 |
| 2.Nf3 3.g3 | ...Bf5, ...e6, ...h6, then ...Nc6 or ...Na6 |
| 2.Nf3 3.e3 | copy, ...Nxe5-...Ne4, ...g6 |
| London (3.Bf4) | ...c5, ...e6, ...Bd6, get rid of doubled pawn |
| 3.c4 dxc4 4.g3 | ...Nc6, then ...e5 |
| 3.c4 dxc4 4.Na3 | ...e5, ...Bxa3, c4 pawn becomes an asset |
| 3.c4 dxc4 4.Qa4+ | ...Nc6, ...e5, equal endgame |
| 3.e4 b5 | ...c6, ...Qb6, exchange sacrifice with counterplay |
Control Questions
- Can the c4 pawn be kept? (Yes: ...b5, ...c6, ...Bb7.)
- Is White playing 3.e4? (Then ...b5 4.a4 c6, and the ...Qb6 line.)
- Can White's d4 pawn become isolated? (...c5, ...cxd4, then play against weak squares.)
- Is the Black queen well placed? (...Qb6 defends b5 and targets b2-d4; ...Qa5+ against Jobava.)
- Is the ...e5 break possible in the center?
- Are the club traps known? (...Bf5-...Be4 against the BDG, checkmate against Nxa8, ...Qa5+ against Nb5.)
Working method. First learn the critical positions and their plans, then review the short variations by verifying the motif that justifies them: gaining space, attacking a piece, opening a line, or exploiting a development lag.
