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Queen's Gambit (for White)
The Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4) is not a real gambit: if Black takes the c4 pawn, White almost always wins it back. The point of 2.c4 is to attack the d5 pawn and take away its control of the center.
The principle
White wants the central majority. Black must choose: support d5 (with e6 or c6), take the c4 pawn, or counterattack.
The main line: the Queen's Gambit Declined
2...e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 O-O 6.Nf3 h6 7.Bh4 b6. Black holds d5 with a pawn and develops. With the b6 push, the c8 bishop, locked behind the e6 pawn, finds a way out to b7: this is the Tartakower Defense.
Main variations
- Queen's Gambit Accepted: 2...dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6. Black gives up the center for free piece play, then attacks d4 with c5.
- Exchange Variation: 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 Be7 7.Bd3. White often prepares the "minority attack": pushing the queenside pawns to create a weakness on c6.
- Albin Countergambit: 2...e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3 Nc6. A real gambit this time: Black gives a pawn to hamper White's development with the pawn on d4.
The trap to know: the Lasker Trap
In the Albin, 3.dxe5 d4 4.e3? is a mistake: after 4...Bb4+ 5.Bd2 dxe3!, taking with 6.Bxb4?? loses to 6...exf2+ 7.Ke2 fxg1=N+! The pawn promotes to a knight with check, a rare winning underpromotion.
Coach's advice
With White, your priorities are the center and harmonious development; with Black, keep an eye on your c8 bishop, the hardest piece to activate. Click the colored moves to follow each line, then ask me your questions.
Main line
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 O-O 6.Nf3 h6 7.Bh4 b6