Central Variation: 4.d5?! b5 is variation 3 of 6 in the Queen's Gambit Accepted course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO D20). It runs 16 moves and begins 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. d5 Nf6 …. White takes the centre with 3.e4, and Black hits back with ...e5. The popular 4.d5 closes the centre but leaves the c4 pawn in Black's hands for a while. Black supports it with ...b5, develops fast and castles. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre.
1... d5 – Black claims the centre too.
2. c4 – White offers the c-pawn.
2... dxc4 – Black takes the pawn.
3. e4 – The Central Variation. White builds a big centre with pawns on d4 and e4.
3... e5 – Black hits the centre at once. This is the most direct answer.
4. d5 – White pushes past and closes the centre. It is the most common move, but it is an inaccuracy. Now the c4 pawn is hard to win back.
4... Nf6 – Black develops and attacks the e4 pawn.
5. Nc3 – White defends e4 with the knight.
5... b5 – The strong reply. The b-pawn guards the c4 pawn, and the bishop on f1 cannot take it.
6. Nf3 – White develops and attacks the e5 pawn.
6... Bc5 – The bishop takes an active diagonal and aims at f2.
7. Be2 – White develops and gets ready to castle.
7... O-O – Black castles. The king is safe.
8. O-O – White castles too.
8... a6 – Black supports the b5 pawn. Black keeps the extra pawn and has an active game.
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