🎓 A1Learner
🔍
0 of 52 lessons completed

The Queen's Gambit, Overview

The Queen's Gambit starts with 1. d4 d5 2. c4. The Queen's Gambit offers a pawn to gain central control.

The Queen's Gambit

White plays d4 and c4. Black pawn on d5 is attacked by the pawn on c4.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Black accepts the pawn

Black plays dxc4 and captures the pawn on c4. White will aim to win the pawn back while building the center.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Black declines the pawn

Black plays e6 and defends the pawn on d5. White keeps central pressure and develops next.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • The Queen's Gambit begins with a central pawn move and a pawn move to c4.
  • The pawn on c4 attacks the pawn on d5. Black may capture the pawn or defend the pawn.
  • If Black captures on c4, White can win the pawn back with good play and gain a strong center.
  • If Black declines the pawn, White keeps central pressure and develops freely.
  • This lesson is an overview only. Learn the first moves and the ideas, not long move sequences.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

What are the first two White moves of the Queen's Gambit?