The Linares Variation is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Accepted, catalogued as ECO D20. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 c5 4. d5 Nf6 5. Nc3 b5, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after five moves. Black has doubled pawns on the c-file.
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.
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The Linares Variation goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 c5 4. d5 Nf6 5. Nc3 b5. It is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO D20.
The Linares Variation is ECO D20. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Gambit Accepted.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 c5 4. d5 Nf6 5. Nc3 b5 at +0.74 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. Black has doubled pawns on the c-file.