Chess Openings Lab
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Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, McDonnell Defense

The McDonnell Defense is 3.e4 e5, where Black hits d4 with a pawn of its own instead of defending c4. White wants to develop with Nf3 and recapture on c4 with the bishop, while Black aims for ...exd4, ...Bb4+ and quick piece play.

Moves
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 e5
ECO
D20
Engine
+0.28 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,671 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 4.Nf3, the engine's top choice, and meet ...exd4 with 5.Bxc4 for fast development.
  • After ...Bb4+, block with Nbd2 so the knight can later recapture on d4 or go to b3.
  • Castle quickly and aim for e5 or a knight landing on d4 once the pawn falls.
  • Avoid 4.dxe5, which trades queens with check and costs White the right to castle.

Black

  • Take with ...exd4 and develop with ...Bb4+, ...Nc6 and ...Nf6, matching the engine's top line.
  • Keep the d4 pawn alive as long as possible; it cramps White's queenside pieces.
  • Use ...Qe7 or ...Bg4 to add pressure to e4 and the f3 knight.
  • Against 4.dxe5, trade queens and play ...Nc6 to win back e5 in an easy endgame.

Plans and pawn structure

Both sides have central pawns hanging, so piece activity matters. After 4.Nf3 exd4 5.Bxc4 Bb4+ 6.Nbd2 Nc6 7.O-O Nf6, White has a lead in development and plans e5, Nb3 to win d4, and attacks on f7. Black keeps the d4 pawn as long as it can and develops smoothly. In the queen trade line, White's king is stuck on d1 and Black is comfortable.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.28: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.28 4.Nf3 exd4 5.Bxc4 Bb4+ 6.Nbd2 Nc6
  2. −0.42 4.dxe5 Qxd1+ 5.Kxd1 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bg4
  3. −0.57 4.Qc2 exd4 5.Bxc4 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bb4+

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,671 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.1%.

under 120060.2%
1200–159952.5%
1600–199950.3%
2000 and up52.2%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Central Variation, McDonnell Defense, Somov Gambit4.Bxc4 · rare

How to play against it

As White, play 4.Nf3, recapture on c4 with the bishop and castle. Do not trade on e5, which gives Black an easy endgame. If Black's pawn stays on d4, target it with Nb3 and Qd3 rather than chasing material early.

Questions

What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, McDonnell Defense?

The Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, McDonnell Defense starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 e5. Its ECO code is D20.

Is the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, McDonnell Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.28 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,671 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.1%. A bold, open choice for Black players who like quick development, while White needs to avoid the queen trade and keep pieces active.

What is the main idea of the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, McDonnell Defense?

Black strikes back at d4 with ...e5 rather than defending c4. White develops with Nf3 and Bxc4, castles and later wins the d4 pawn, while Black uses ...Bb4+ and ...Nc6 for quick activity.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf3, with dxe5 and Qc2 close behind. 4.Nf3 develops and protects d4 indirectly, and after ...exd4 the bishop takes on c4.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.