Classical: 7.dxc5 is variation 1 of 6 in the Queen's Gambit Accepted course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO D27). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 …. White develops calmly with Nf3 and e3 and wins the pawn back. Black plays ...e6, ...c5 and ...a6. When White trades on c5 and swaps queens, Black's king stays in the centre and the bishops become active. 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 – The Queen's Gambit. White offers the c-pawn to pull Black's pawn away from the centre.
2... dxc4 – The Queen's Gambit Accepted. Black takes the pawn, but does not plan to keep it.
3. Nf3 – White develops first and stops the e-pawn from going to e5.
3... Nf6 – Black develops and stops White from playing e4 at once.
4. e3 – White opens the f1 bishop to take back on c4.
4... e6 – Black opens the f8 bishop and gets ready to castle.
5. Bxc4 – White wins the pawn back. Material is equal again.
5... c5 – The key move. Black hits d4 at once and gets a fair share of the centre.
6. O-O – White castles.
6... a6 – Black prepares the b-pawn push to gain space with tempo on the bishop.
7. dxc5 – White trades on c5 and offers a queen trade.
7... Qxd1 – Black trades queens. In this endgame the king is safe in the centre.
8. Rxd1 – The rook takes back and takes the open d-file.
8... Bxc5 – The bishop takes back on c5. Material is equal, and Black's pieces are active.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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