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.c4

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

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

  4. 2e6

    Advances to e6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

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

  5. 3.Nf3

    Develops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game.

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

  6. 3d5

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

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

  7. 4.e3

    Advances to e3 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

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

  8. 4b6

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

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

  9. 5.Nc3

    Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.

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

  10. 5Bd6

    Develops the bishop to d6, bringing it into the game.

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

  11. 6.cxd5

    Captures the pawn on d5 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the center for the next phase.

  12. 6exd5

    Captures the pawn on d5 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the center for the next phase.

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.