QGA

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if some of you might give me your input on the Queen's Gambit Accepted. When I first started playing, I was told by an advanced player that black always gets a bad position, so I avoided it. Looking back, I realize he was commenting on lines in which black tried to hold the pawn. As I've searched for a d4 defense with the QGD or the Slav, I've found that I either face the exchange or the "advance" variation (3.c5 or 4.c5). While this latter variation may not be theoretically acceptable, it leads to very cramped positions I don't enjoy playing. When I tried the Nimzo/QID, I usually got 1.d4 Nf6 2.d5, resulting in bizarre positions. So, I suddenly realized that I could avoid all the problems above by playing 1...d5 and then just taking the c pawn (and was pleasantly surprised to find players like Kasparov and Anand willing to play the black side!). Is this defense good enough to serve as a main defense? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Scott

I've been playing Queen's gambit for the most part almost all my games as white. When black takes the c pawn.. and tries to protect the pawn.., I find I'm able to open the game up much easier and get excellent position. If they take the c pawn, and not worry about trying to protect their pawn.. the board is also opened nicely, but usually pretty even.
QGD is what ends up most of the time.. and yes.. can become cramped. Playing as white.. I can't make the determination of QGA, or QGD unfortunately.. but as white, I also prefer my position when black takes the pawn..
When I'm playing as black.. I prefer not taking the pawn.

Take a look at my trap I call the fool's trap .
1 . d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 b5 4. a4 c6 5. axb5 cxb5 6. Qf3!!
1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 b5 5. a4 c6 6. b3 cxb3 7. axb5 cxb5 8. Bxb5+ Bd7 9. Qxb3 !

I also have a line with 1. d4 Nf6 2. d5
Black can super-pressurize White's pawn if he advances too much .
1. d4 Nf6 2. d5 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 e6 Black has a lot of pressure and White will now be forced to excahnge pawns which comes in favour of Black . 1. d4 Nf6 2. d5?? is NOT a good idea.

Originally posted by SicilianNajdorf
I also have a line with 1. d4 Nf6 2. d5
. 1. d4 Nf6 2. d5?? is NOT a good idea.