Queen's Gambit

The classical closed opening: c4 undermines d5, and Black's acceptance (QGD) or decline shapes the whole middlegame.

Profile Details

Moves

1.d4 d5 2.c4

Core idea

undermine d5, build the big center

Main trap

the trap in 2...dxc4 is White's e3+b5 recapture Regaining

Who suits

strategic players of either color

Black replies

QGD, Slav, Semi-Slav, Albin

Theory load

moderate at club, vast at master

About Queen's Gambit

The Queen's Gambit is not a gambit: if Black takes (2...dxc4), White regains the pawn with Qa4+ or e3+b5 lines — the offer is a lever to deflect d5. The Queen's Gambit Declined (…e6) is the classical fortress; the Slav (…c6) protects d5 without blocking the bishop. The Netflix series made it famous; a century of world championships made it true.