Queen's Gambit

The Queen's Gambit is a chess opening that starts with the moves

Main variations

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4,

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• 2...dxc4 (Queen's Gambit Accepted) (QGA)
• 2...Nc6 (Chigorin Defense)
• 2...c5 (Symmetrical Defense)
• 2...c6 (Slav Defense)
• 2...e5 (Albin Countergambit)
• 2...e6 (Queen's Gambit Declined) (QGD)
• 2...Bf5 (Baltic Defense)
• 2...Nf6 (Marshall Defense)

Technically, any Black response other than 2...dxc4 (or another line with an early ...dxc4 that transposes into the QGA) is a Queen's Gambit Declined, but the Slav, Chigorin Defense, and Albin Counter Gambit are generally treated separately. In fact there are so many QGD lines after 2...e6, that many of them are distinctive enough to warrant separate treatment. The Orthodox Defense and the Tarrasch Defense are two important examples. See Queen's Gambit Declined for more.

Related Topics:
Tarrasch Defense - Queen's Gambit Declined

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The Slav Defense is a solid response, although many variations are very tactical. If Black plays both ...c6 and ...e6 (in either order), the opening takes characteristics of both the Slav and the Orthodox Defense and is classified as a Semi-Slav Defense.

Related Topics:
Slav Defense - Semi-Slav Defense

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The Chigorin Defense is unusual, but it appears to be playable for Black.

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The Albin Countergambit is a sharp attempt for Black to gain the initiative. It is not common in top-level chess, but it can be a dangerous weapon in club play.

Related Topics:
Albin Countergambit - Initiative

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The Symmetrical Defense is very rarely played. Although it has not been definitely refuted, play seems to favor White.

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If White chooses to fianchetto his king's bishop, the game transposes into the Catalan Opening.

Related Topics:
Fianchetto - Catalan Opening

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The Baltic Defense is offbeat but playable.

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The Marshall Defense is the weakest of the Black replies listed. Definitely inferior, Marshall played it for a while in the 1920s before abandoning it.

Related Topics:
Marshall Defense - Marshall - 1920s

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The Queen's Gambit, named after the opening, is also a 1983 novel by Walter Tevis (author of The Hustler) about a female chess prodigy.

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