Two lines from our repertoire
Follow each line from the starting position. The notes explain the position after the displayed move, including the plan for the next move. These are repertoire examples; your opponent can choose other replies.
Pause at the diagrams to see the idea. The highlighted squares show the last move; the note explains what comes next.
Moves use international algebraic notation: N = knight, B = bishop, R = rook, Q = queen, K = king.
1. Meet the Queen’s Gambit Accepted
1. d41... d5After 1... d5We play ♟c2-c4, using our prepared queen's gambit.
2. c42... dxc4After 2... dxc4♟d5xc4 — the starting point for the development of the Exchange Variation of the Queen's Gambit. White has several good moves, but the most ambitious is ♟e2-e4. We seize the center, attacking ♟c4!
3. e43... Nf6After 3... Nf6One of Black's possible responses. We play ♟е4-е5, gaining a tempo by removing the pawn from under attack
4. e5
After 4... Nd5White to move. At the board4... Nd5After 4... Nd5We capture ♝f1xc4, bringing the piece into play and regaining material
5. Bxc45... e6After 5... e6We play ♞b1-c3, offering to exchange the actively placed ♞d5
6. Nc36... Nxc3After 6... Nxc3We capture the knight in reply — ♟b2xc3!
7. bxc37... Be7After 7... Be7Black, it would seem, have done nothing wrong, but their position is very difficult. We play ♛d1-g4, exploiting the loss of protection of ♟g7 and at the same time provoking Black to castle, which leads to their eventual defeat...
8. Qg4After 8... O-OWhite to move. At the board8... O-OAfter 8... O-OExcellent, Black has fallen into our trap! We play ♝c1-h6, exploiting the pin on the g-file and achieving an inevitable win of the exchange!
9. Bh69... g6After 9... g6We capture the rook, consolidating Black's material losses — ♝h6xf8
10. Bxf810... Bxf8After 10... Bxf8White has extra material, but that's no reason to relax! We play ♞g1-f3, approaching a possible castling
11. Nf311... Nc6After 11... Nc6Taking advantage of the fact that Black's pieces occupy positions too dubious to punish ♚е1 — we play ♟h2-h4, provoking Black into weakening the ♚ flank
12. h412... h5After 12... h5Excellent, the g5 square is now seriously weakened for Black! We play ♛g4-f4, with promising prospects for opening up play on the ♚ flank
After 13. Qf4Black to move. At the board13. Qf4
2. A quick strategic win
1. d41... d5After 1... d5We play ♟c2-c4, employing our prepared Queen's Gambit.
2. c42... dxc4After 2... dxc4♟d5xc4 — the starting point for development of the Exchange Variation of the Queen's Gambit. White has several good moves, but the most ambitious is ♟e2-e4. We seize the center, attacking ♟c4!
3. e43... Nf6After 3... Nf6One of Black's possible responses. We play ♟е4-е5, gaining a tempo and removing the pawn from under attack.
4. e5After 4... Nd5White to move. At the board4... Nd5After 4... Nd5We capture ♝f1xc4, bringing the piece into play and regaining material.
5. Bxc45... e6After 5... e6We play ♞b1-c3, offering to exchange the active ♞d5.
6. Nc36... Nxc3After 6... Nxc3We recapture the knight in reply — ♟b2xc3!
7. bxc37... Be7After 7... Be7Black, it would seem, hasn't managed to do anything wrong, but their position is very difficult. We play ♛d1-g4, taking advantage of the loss of protection of ♟g7 and at the same time provoking Black to castle, leading to a subsequent defeat...
8. Qg4After 8... g6White to move. At the board8... g6After 8... g6The attempt to remove ♟g7 from the line of fire weakens Black's control of the squares on the ♚ flank, which we exploit by playing ♝c1-h6, preventing the ♚ from castling.
9. Bh69... Bf8After 9... Bf8In that case we boldly trade ♝h6xf8, depriving Black of the main guardian of the dark squares. So that you understand, dear chessplayer, White already has an almost decisive advantage!
10. Bxf810... Kxf8After 10... Kxf8One important thing to understand right now: if we give Black a little time, Black will be able to resolve the issues with the king ♚ and secure the entire flank, so we must act quickly! We play ♟h2-h4 with the aim of further gaining space with ♟h4-h5
11. h411... h5After 11... h5We retreat ♛g4-f4, keeping our sights on a future attack on the ♚
12. Qf4After 12... Qe7White to move. At the board12... Qe7After 12... Qe7Not forgetting development, we play ♞g1-f3 with the aim of further placing ♞f3-g5 with active play to pressure ♟f7
13. Nf313... Kg7After 13... Kg7We play ♞f3-g5, consolidating the knight on a stable square
14. Ng514... Nd7After 14... Nd7♚e1 can either be brought to safety by castling or kept in the center to allow the possibility of a clever transfer ♜h3-f3 with serious pressure on ♟f7. We bring ♜h1 into play, while keeping the option to play ♚e1-f1 if needed, removing the king from the central file.
After 15. Rh3Black to move. At the board15. Rh3After 15. Rh3White has a serious advantage thanks to Black's weakened ♚ flank and the lack of any opportunities to pose problems for us.
Original commentary from Theoria’s opening lessons, prepared by FIDE Master Maksims Golubovskis.
Put the idea on the board
Open this opening in the trainer to study and practise its lines. Start with one line, explain the purpose of each move, then try to recall it without hints.