Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line (D29)

The Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Accepted, catalogued as ECO D29. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6 7. Qe2 b5 8. Bb3 Bb7 9. Nc3, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after nine moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.

On the Queen's Gambit Accepted generally: Black accepts the gambit pawn but usually cannot hold it. Leads to active play for both sides.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line — position after Nc3 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6 7. Qe2 b5 8. Bb3 Bb7 9. Nc3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4d5
2c4dxc4
3Nf3Nf6
4e3e6
5Bxc4c5
6O-Oa6
7Qe2b5
8Bb3Bb7
9Nc3

ECO: D29

Stockfish: +0.12 at depth 18

Practice this line free →

Related Queen's Gambit Accepted lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line?

The Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6 7. Qe2 b5 8. Bb3 Bb7 9. Nc3. It is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO D29.

What is the ECO code for the Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line?

The Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line is ECO D29. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Gambit Accepted.

Is the Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6 7. Qe2 b5 8. Bb3 Bb7 9. Nc3 at +0.12 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Classical Defense, Alekhine System, Main Line lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.