Chess Openings Lab
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Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation

The Old Variation is 3.e3, opening the f1 bishop to take back on c4 right away. White skips Nf3 for now, which keeps the setup simple but allows Black to break with ...e5, while Black usually plays ...a6, ...e6, ...Nf6 and ...c5.

Moves
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3
ECO
D20
Engine
+0.24 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
8,471 games in our lichess sample
White scores
57.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Recapture with Bxc4 next move and develop Nf3 and O-O after it.
  • Meet ...c5 with Nf3 and Bxc4, then consider dxc5 as in all three engine lines.
  • If Black tries ...e5, take on c4 and hit f7 while Black's king is still in the center.
  • Keep e4 as a later space grab once the pieces are developed.

Black

  • Play 3...a6, the engine's top choice, preparing ...b5 if White delays Bxc4.
  • The ...e5 Novikov Gambit hits d4 at once, while the knight is still on g1.
  • Develop with ...e6 and ...Nf6, then hit d4 with ...c5 once the bishop has moved.
  • Use ...b5 and a fianchetto on b7 to give the c8 bishop a long diagonal.

Plans and pawn structure

The pawn on e3 blocks the c1 bishop but makes Bxc4 easy. Without a knight on f3, Black can try ...e5, though the main moves are ...a6, ...e6, ...Nf6 and ...c5, transposing to the main lines. After Bxc4, Nf3 and O-O, White decides between dxc5 and keeping tension, while Black aims for ...b5 and a bishop on b7. The structure often becomes an isolated d4 pawn or a symmetrical open center.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.24: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.24 3...a6 4.Bxc4 e6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.O-O
  2. +0.27 3...e6 4.Nf3 a6 5.Bxc4 Nf6 6.O-O
  3. +0.28 3...c5 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bxc4 e6 6.O-O

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

8,471 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 57.6%.

under 120057.1%
1200–159957.4%
1600–199958.8%
2000 and up52.6%

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

Where it goes next

  • Old Variation, Novikov Gambit3...e5 · rare
  • Classical Defense, Russian Gambit3...Nf6 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, play ...a6, ...e6 and ...Nf6, then hit d4 with ...c5. If you like sharp play, ...e5 is an option while White's knight is still on g1. As White, take on c4 promptly and develop Nf3 before Black gets ...b5 in with tempo.

Questions

What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation?

The Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3. Its ECO code is D20.

Is the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.24 at depth 20, which is level. In 8,471 lichess games from our sample, White scored 57.6%. A simple, sound choice for White players who want the pawn back without theory, while Black should use the free move for an early ...c5 or ...e5.

What is the main idea of the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Old Variation?

White plays e3 to recapture on c4 with the bishop at once. Black follows with ...a6, ...e6, ...Nf6 and ...c5, or tries ...e5 while Nf3 has not been played.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is a6, with e6 and c5 close behind. 3...a6 prepares ...b5 so the c4 pawn is not given back for free.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.