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. 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. 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. 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.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.

  8. 4Nc6

    Develops the knight to c6, bringing it into the game.

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

  9. 5.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.

  10. 5Be7

    Develops the bishop to e7, bringing it into the game.

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

  11. 6.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.

  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.Rc1

    Repositions the rook to c1, where it influences a new part of the board.

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

  14. 7h6

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

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

  15. 8.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.

  16. 8Ne4

    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.

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.