Chess Openings Lab
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Queen's Pawn Game: Krause Variation

The Krause Variation is 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 c5, a Queen's Gambit type pawn offer from Black's side. White can play c4 for a Tarrasch-like center, take on c5 at once, or keep things quiet with e3.

Moves
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 c5
ECO
D02
Engine
+0.30 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
4,401 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 3.c4 leads to a Tarrasch structure after ...e6 and cxd5 exd5; fianchetto with g3 and Bg2.
  • Pressure the d5 pawn with the g2 bishop, Nc3 and dxc5 at the right time.
  • 3.dxc5 is direct: follow with Be3 to hold the pawn and c4 to hit d5.
  • 3.e3 keeps it calm, with c4 and Nc3 later to fight for d5.

Black

  • Play ...e6 and ...Nc6, keeping the pawns on c5 and d5 for central space.
  • After 3.dxc5 play ...e6, ...Nd7 and ...Bxc5 to regain the pawn with tempo.
  • Develop the knight to f6 and the bishop to e7 against quiet play.
  • If an isolated d5 pawn appears, keep pieces active so it is a strength.

Plans and pawn structure

After 3.c4 e6 4.cxd5 exd5, Black has an active center with pawns on c5 and d5, and White fianchettoes with g3 and Bg2 to press d5. A trade on c5 or d4 can leave Black with an isolated d5 pawn, which gives open lines but needs care in the endgame. In the 3.dxc5 lines, Black regains the pawn with ...Bxc5 and gets easy development. White's long-term targets are d5 and the light squares.

Where the engine's main line heads: Carlsbad structure (after cxd5 exd5). The Carlsbad structure, from cxd5 exd5: White has d4 and no c-pawn, Black has c6 or c7 and d5 and no e-pawn.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.30: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.30 3.c4 e6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.g3 Nc6
  2. +0.26 3.dxc5 e6 4.Be3 Nd7 5.c4 Bxc5
  3. +0.16 3.e3 e6 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

4,401 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.8%.

under 120049.3%
1200–159949.7%
1600–199950.6%
2000 and up53.2%

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

Where it goes next

  • Chandler Gambit3.g3 · rare

How to play against it

As White, 3.c4 with g3 and Bg2 gives the most pressure on d5. Do not take on c5 without a follow-up like Be3 or c4. As Black, keep the d5 pawn supported with ...e6 and ...Nf6, and develop before playing ...cxd4.

Questions

What are the moves of the Queen's Pawn Game: Krause Variation?

The Queen's Pawn Game: Krause Variation starts 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 c5. Its ECO code is D02.

Is the Queen's Pawn Game: Krause Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.30 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 4,401 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.8%. An active and sound choice for Black players who like open center play and are fine with an isolated pawn.

What is the main idea of the Queen's Pawn Game: Krause Variation?

Black hits d4 with ...c5 early, like a reverse Queen's Gambit. White answers with c4 and a fianchetto, or takes on c5 and fights for d5.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is c4, with dxc5 and e3 close behind. 3.c4 strikes at d5 and leads to a Tarrasch-like center where White targets d5.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.