Queen's Gambit Accepted is variation 3 of 6 in the Queen's Gambit course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO D27). It runs 21 moves and begins 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 …. Black takes on c4 and plans to return the pawn for free development. White plays Nf3, e3 and Bxc4, then after ...c5 and ...cxd4 accepts an isolated d-pawn with active pieces. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – Takes the centre.
1... d5 – Black claims the centre.
2. c4 – The Queen's Gambit.
2... dxc4 – Black accepts. The pawn cannot really be held, but Black gains time to develop and hit d4 with ...c5.
3. Nf3 – Develops and stops ...e5, Black's best freeing move.
3... Nf6 – Develops and controls e4.
4. e3 – Opens the bishop so that it can take c4 back.
4... e6 – Opens the f8 bishop and supports a later ...c5.
5. Bxc4 – White regains the pawn with a lead in development.
5... c5 – Black attacks d4, the typical QGA counterplay.
6. O-O – White castles before deciding how to deal with ...cxd4.
6... a6 – Prepares ...b5 to gain queenside space with tempo on the c4 bishop.
7. a4 – Stops ...b5 at once, at the cost of the b4 square.
7... Nc6 – Develops and adds pressure to d4.
8. Qe2 – Connects the rooks and prepares Rd1; the queen also guards the c4 bishop.
8... cxd4 – Black gives White an isolated d-pawn.
The lesson goes on for 5 more moves, each with its explanation.
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