The Old Variation, Billinger Gambit is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Accepted, catalogued as ECO D20. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 e5 4. Bxc4 exd4 5. Qb3 Qe7 6. a3, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after six moves.
On the Queen's Gambit Accepted generally: Black accepts the gambit pawn but usually cannot hold it. Leads to active play for both sides.
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The Old Variation, Billinger Gambit goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 e5 4. Bxc4 exd4 5. Qb3 Qe7 6. a3. It is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO D20.
The Old Variation, Billinger Gambit 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. e3 e5 4. Bxc4 exd4 5. Qb3 Qe7 6. a3 at -0.03 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.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move.