Old Variation: 3.e3 e5 is variation 5 of 6 in the Queen's Gambit Accepted course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO D20). It runs 20 moves and begins 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 e5 4. Bxc4 exd4 …. White prepares to take back on c4 with the bishop. Black uses the moment to play ...e5 and trade the centre pawns. White gets an isolated pawn on d4, and Black blockades it. 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. e3 – White opens the f1 bishop to take back on c4.
3... e5 – Black hits d4 at once, while White's bishop is busy.
4. Bxc4 – White wins the pawn back.
4... exd4 – Black trades the centre pawns.
5. exd4 – White takes back. The d4 pawn is now isolated: no pawn on the c-file or the e-file can protect it.
5... Nf6 – Black develops and controls d5, the square in front of the isolated pawn.
6. Nf3 – White develops.
6... Be7 – Black develops and gets ready to castle.
7. O-O – White castles.
7... O-O – Black castles too.
8. Nc3 – White develops and supports a later push of the d-pawn.
8... Nbd7 – The knight heads for b6 and then d5.
The lesson goes on for 4 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM