Chess lessons › Chess openings
The Queen’s Gambit Accepted
Take on c4 and give the pawn back for free play: ...e5 against 3.e4, ...c5 and ...a6 against quiet moves.
The idea
Black takes on c4, then gives the pawn back to hit d4.
- The bishop on c4 has won back the pawn Black took.
- White’s pawn on d4 is now the target.
- ...c5 strikes at d4, and ...a6 with ...b5 can chase the bishop.
In a game: Once White wins back the pawn on c4, strike at d4 with ...c5 or ...e5.
How the lesson begins
After 1.d4 d5 2.c4, Black takes with 2...dxc4 in 31% of games between players rated 1200 to 1599 on Lichess. This is the Queen’s Gambit Accepted.
Black is not trying to keep the extra pawn. The plan is to give it back at a good moment and use the time to strike at White’s centre, with ...e5 or ...c5.
Find the move
White to move. The pawn on d5 has gone. Take the whole centre with a pawn.
A hint
Which pawn can stand next to d4?
Show the answer
3. e4
3.e4, which Lichess calls the Saduleto Variation, puts pawns on d4 and e4. It is one of the engine’s top moves. The pawn on c4 can wait: your bishop on f1 now attacks it.
In numbers
How often it is played
| Rating | Value |
|---|---|
| Under 800 | Too few games |
| 800 to 1199 | 9.2 |
| 1200 to 1599 | 9.5 |
| 1600 to 1999 | 7.3 |
| 2000 and up | 3.5 |
How the games ended
White won 54%, 4% were drawn and Black won 42%, over 14,514 games that start this way, in a sample of rated Lichess games from 2026.