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, and the position after those moves has 2 playable continuations to walk from here.

Opening repertoire map

Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.

Current position
Slav Defense
14 plies
Flohr Defense
14 plies
Smyslov Defense
Popularity by Elo
Share of Lichess blitz, rapid, and classical games that continued with each move.
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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. 1d5

    Mirrors White’s central claim and prevents an easy e4 expansion.

    Idea: Establish a firm center and develop behind the pawn chain.

  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. 2c6

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

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

  5. 3.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.

  6. 3Nf6

    Develops the knight to f6, bringing it into the game.

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

  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. 4g6

    Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.

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

  9. 5.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.

  10. 5Bg7

    Develops the bishop to g7, bringing it into the game.

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

  11. 6.Bd3

    Develops the bishop to d3, bringing it into the game.

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

  12. 6O-O

    Tucks the king away and activates the rook in a single move.

    Idea: Finish kingside development so the central pieces can coordinate safely.

  13. 7.O-O

    Tucks the king away and activates the rook in a single move.

    Idea: Finish kingside development so the central pieces can coordinate safely.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

2 moves

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.