The Queen's Pawn Game with 2.c4 arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4. ECO code: A50.

Overview

This is the main continuation, entering the vast Indian Defence complex. The c4-pawn controls d5 and prepares Nc3, establishing the classical formation against Black's Indian setups.

Main Lines

Black's response determines the opening system:

• 2...e6 – Nimzo-Indian Defence (after 3.Nc3 Bb4), Queen\'s Indian Defence (after 3.Nf3 b6), or Queen\'s Gambit Declined (after ...d5).

• 2...g6 – King\'s Indian Defence (after ...Bg7, ...d6, ...0-0) or Grünfeld Defence (after ...d5).

• 2...c5 – The Benoni Defence.

• 2...e5 – The Budapest Defence.

Strategic Themes & Plans

This is the most important crossroads in Queen's Pawn theory. White's two-pawn centre (c4, d4) exerts strong central control, and Black must choose a defensive system to challenge or undermine it.