The Main Line is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Accepted, catalogued as ECO D24. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black 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.
See all 30 Queen's Gambit Accepted variations →
The Main Line goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4. It is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO D24.
The Main Line is ECO D24. 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 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 at +0.44 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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 d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Black has doubled pawns on the c-file.