Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, Greco Variation

The Greco Variation is 3.e4 b5, where Black tries to hold the extra c4 pawn with the b-pawn. White undermines the chain at once with a4 and opens the a-file, while Black hopes the pawns on b5 and c4 cramp White's queenside.

Moves
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 b5
ECO
D20
Engine
+0.73 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,935 games in our lichess sample
White scores
54.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 4.a4, the engine's top move, attacking b5 so the pawn chain cannot hold.
  • After ...c6 and axb5 cxb5, Nc3 hits b5 again; the tactic Nxb5 wins material because the a8 rook hangs.
  • Use the open a-file for the rook on a1 and the big center for a quick e5 or d5.
  • Recover c4 with the f1 bishop once the b5 pawn is gone.

Black

  • Support b5 with ...c6, but beware the Nxb5 trick when the rook on a8 is undefended.
  • The ...a6 and ...Bb7 setup is safer and pressures e4 with the bishop.
  • Develop quickly with ...e6 and ...Nf6 rather than adding more pawn moves.
  • If the c4 pawn falls, aim the bishop at e4 to fight White's center.

Plans and pawn structure

Black's ...b5 grabs material but neglects development. The main line 4.a4 c6 5.axb5 cxb5 6.Nc3 a6 7.Nxb5 axb5 shows the problem: White wins a pawn back with a tactic on the a-file and the rook on a1 lands on a8. Even after quieter replies, White has a large center and better development. Black's best hope is ...Bb7, ...e6 and ...Nf6 with pressure on e4.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.73: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.73 4.a4 c6 5.axb5 cxb5 6.Nc3 a6
  2. +0.05 4.Nf3 a6 5.a4 Bb7 6.Nc3 c6
  3. −0.13 4.Nc3 a6 5.Nf3 e6 6.a4 b4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,935 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.8%.

under 120061.1%
1200–159954.3%
1600–199950.1%
2000 and up52.3%

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

How to play against it

As White, answer with 4.a4 at once; the b5 pawn cannot be held. After ...c6 axb5 cxb5, look for Nc3 and the knight capture on b5. Don't play slowly with Nf3 alone, which gives Black time for ...a6 and ...Bb7.

Questions

What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, Greco Variation?

The Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, Greco Variation starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 b5. Its ECO code is D20.

Is the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, Greco Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.73 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 1,935 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.8%. A greedy line that loses to well-informed play, so it suits Black players hoping for White errors, while White simply needs to remember a4.

What is the main idea of the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, Greco Variation?

Black tries to keep the c4 pawn with ...b5. White breaks the chain with a4, opens the a-file and uses tactics like Nxb5, while the big center gives White extra play.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is a4, with Nf3 and Nc3 close behind. 4.a4 attacks b5 at once, and the a-file opening makes tactics against the a8 rook possible.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.