Queen's Pawn Game A40
A — Flank openings · Family: Queen's Pawn Game
1. d4
The Queen's Pawn Game (1.d4) is the classical way to claim the center: a pawn on d4, backed by the queen and soon by pawns or pieces, gives White a durable space edge. Unlike 1.e4 it does not open lines immediately — games grow slowly, which is why 1.d4 has been the backbone of positional world champions from Capablanca and Kramnik to Carlsen.
A40 is also the umbrella of the Indian defenses: Black who declines 1...d5 (choosing 1...Nf6, 1...f5, 1...e6 with ...d6 plans or 1...g6) keeps the center fluid and fights for it with pieces. White answers with the classical 2.c4 centers, the solid London and Colle systems (Bf4 or d3/e3 setups) or the Catalan fianchetto. The recurring strategic question of the whole A40 complex: is Black's delayed ...d5 or ...e5 break worth the time it costs?
Play through the moves on the board above, explore the variations tree below — click any move of any branch — then test yourself against the engine from the position you picked.
- Position after 1 half-moves — Black to move.
- Material is balanced.
- Family “Queen's Pawn Game” contains 82 recorded variation(s) here.
Variations tree of the Queen's Pawn Game family
Click any move to jump to that position; switch branches at any point with the alternative moves. Test your knowledge plays the shown position against the engine.
Variations of this family
| Name | ECO | Main line length |
|---|---|---|
| Queen's Pawn Game: Anglo-Slav Opening | A40 | 4 plies |
| Queen's Pawn Game: Modern Defense | A40 | 2 plies |
| Queen's Pawn Game | A41 | 2 plies |
| Queen's Pawn Game: Rossolimo Variation | A41 | 4 plies |
| Queen's Pawn Game: Liedmann Gambit | A43 | 5 plies |
| Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation | A45 | 4 plies |
| Queen's Pawn Game: Veresov, Richter Attack | A45 | 5 plies |
| Queen's Pawn Game: Torre Attack, Breyer Variation | A46 | 10 plies |
| Queen's Pawn Game: Veresov Attack, Classical Defense | A46 | 7 plies |
| Queen's Pawn Game: Barry Attack | A48 | 7 plies |
| Queen's Pawn Game: Barry Attack | A48 | 8 plies |
| Queen's Pawn Game: Barry Attack, Grünfeld Variation | A48 | 11 plies |
Related openings
Nearby ECO codes in the A — Flank openings volume — compare the move orders: