The Queen's Gambit Opening
The Queen's Gambit Opening Starts with 1. d4 d5.
From here you play 2. c4. giving up a pawn for control of the center. The Gambit can either be accepted or declined. To accept the gambit dxc4 must be played. You then have two options, e3, the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation, or e4, the Central Variation. In this example try playing the central variation.
You then have full control of the center. The Central Variation is more effective than the Old Variation since in the Old Variation you block your light-squared bishop from developing well. Sometimes they will defend their c-pawn. You will undermine with h4.
I had previously mentioned the gambit can be declined. There are many ways the Gambit can be declined but the main ways are with e6, protecting the pawn with a pawn, Nf6, protecting the pawn with a knight, the Marshall Defense, or c6, the Slav Defense. The Slav Defense is a more complex defense for black so I won't go into much depth with it. e6 is the standard Queen's gambit declined, you play Nc3 putting more pressure on d5, they will likely respond with Nf6 defending the pawn more. Try this in the puzzle below.
From there it's going to be a fierce game. Next the Marshall Defense, with Nf6. This doesn't actually defend the pawn because after cxd5 then Nxd5 you play e4. You control the center.
Next is the Slav defense which goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6. There are a whole bunch of variations of the Slav Defense but I'll go over the main 2. The Semi-Slav will happen after 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6. e6 initiates the Semi-Slav, but you can choose the Open Slav which after 4. Nf3 you will play dxc4. From there it's a sharp game. Try playing against the Semi-Slav in the puzzle below.
Now try against the Open Slav.
A prominent gambit is the Englund. Usually played by beginner's because no one knows the right defense at that level. It usually is supposed to go like this for black to win.
But as white, the right defense goes as follows:
Next is the Slav defense which goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6. There are a whole bunch of variations of the Slav Defense but I'll go over the main 2. The Semi-Slav will happen after 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6. e6 initiates the Semi-Slav, but you can choose the Open Slav which after 4. Nf3 you will play dxc4. From there it's a sharp game. Try playing against the Semi-Slav in the puzzle below.
Those are all the main ways to decline the queen's gambit, but there are other options your opponent may do, such as countergambits. There are 3 main gambits your opponent may play as black, the Albin Countergambit begins with 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5. The best move is dxe5 taking the free pawn. You then push with d4. If they play e3 trying trade trade pawns play Bb4+. They will likely block with Bd2. You then play dxe3!!. They might play Bxb4, you play exf2+. If Kxf2 then play Qxd1, you're now winning. If they play Ke2 then play fxg1 = N+. If Rxg1 play Bg4+ King moves Qxd1 you win. If the rook does not take, they play Ke1 for instance. Play Qh4+. If g3 blocking the check play Qe4+ winning the rook.
That's how to play the Queen's gambit. You would be fine if you only read 1 out of every 5 words because the Queen's gambit is very simple yet effective. If you don't want to read all that just remember as white to play 1. d4 d5 2. c4. If they take play e4 and if they don't put more pressure on d5 with your pieces and have fun.
