Flank openings

Queen's Pawn Game

1.d4

The Queen's Pawn Game starts with 1.d4 and is catalogued under ECO A40, in the flank openings half of the book. The catalog indexes 82 lines inside it, grouped into 49 named variations.

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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.d4

    Takes central space with a protected pawn and frees the queen’s bishop.

    Idea: Build a stable center that supports a broad positional setup.

  2. 1Nf6

    Develops a knight and prevents White from occupying e4 unchallenged.

    Idea: Keep the central pawns flexible and choose an Indian setup after White commits.

  3. 2.Bg5

    Develops the bishop to g5, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  4. 2Ne4

    Repositions the knight to e4, where it influences a new part of the board.

    Idea: Improve the piece’s activity and support the next stage of the plan.

  5. 3.Bh4

    Repositions the bishop to h4, where it influences a new part of the board.

    Idea: Improve the piece’s activity and support the next stage of the plan.

  6. 3c6

    Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

  7. 4.Nd2

    Develops the knight to d2, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  8. 4Qa5

    Repositions the queen to a5, where it influences a new part of the board.

    Idea: Coordinate threats carefully while avoiding unnecessary tempi against the queen.

  9. 5.c3

    Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

  10. 5Nxd2

    Captures the knight on d2 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.

  11. 6.Qxd2

    Captures the knight on d2 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.

  12. 6d5

    Advances to d5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  13. 7.e4

    Advances to e4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

Book continuations

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0 moves
This is the end of the indexed line.

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under Queen's Pawn Game. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

25 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Queen's Pawn Game.