Chess opening · ECO A40
Queen's Pawn Game
1.d4 takes a central square, controls e5 and c5, and frees the queen and dark-squared bishop. Unlike 1.e4, the pawn already has a defender, the queen on d1. The opening that follows depends almost entirely on Black's first reply, which is why the Queen's Pawn Game is a parent of so many named systems.
- Rank by weighted share
- #2 of 159
Key moves
1. d4
- 1. d4The pawn on d4 is protected by the queen on d1, and the c1 bishop now has an open diagonal toward f4 and g5. White can follow with c4, Nf3, Bf4 or e3, depending on how Black sets up.
Meeting 1...d5
1...d5 blocks the d-pawn and stops e4 for now. White can strike at the pawn with 2.c4, the Queen's Gambit, or build a quieter setup such as the London with Bf4, e3 and c3, or the Colle with e3, Bd3 and Nf3.
A sharper option is 2.e4, the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. After 2...dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 White offers a pawn for open lines on the f-file and fast development.
Replies that leave the d-pawn home
1...Nf6 covers e4 with a piece and leads to the Indian Defenses, where Black chooses a pawn structure only after seeing White's next moves. 1...f5 is the Dutch Defense, grabbing e4 with a pawn and preparing kingside play.
1...c5 hits d4 at once and often leads to Benoni structures after d5. 1...e5, the Englund Gambit, offers a pawn right away in return for quick development.
Top replies by rating
d5 leads every band up to 1999. At 2000 and up Nf6 takes the top spot, and c5 enters the top three.
Questions
Is the Queen's Pawn Game the same as the Queen's Gambit?
No. The Queen's Pawn Game covers everything after 1.d4. The Queen's Gambit is one branch of it, starting 1.d4 d5 2.c4, where White offers the c-pawn to pull Black's d-pawn away from the center.
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.