Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit
The Steinitz Countergambit is 2...c5 against the Accelerated London, striking at d4 before White can play c3 and e3. Black wants fast piece play with ...Nc6 and ...Bg4 against d4, while White aims to keep the center steady or take on c5 and develop.
- Moves
- 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5
- ECO
- D00
- Engine
- 0.00 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 4,608 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 51.0%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 3.Nf3 is the calmest: follow with e3 and c3, then h3 to ask the bishop on g4 to decide.
- 3.e3 with Bb5 pins the c6 knight and adds pressure on d4 from a new angle.
- Taking with 3.dxc5 is fine if White follows with Nf3, e3 and c4 to fight the d5 pawn.
- Keep c3 ready so the d4 pawn has a pawn defender when ...Qb6 hits b2.
Black
- Develop with ...Nc6 at once, adding a second attacker to the d4 pawn.
- Pin the f3 knight with ...Bg4 and trade it with ...Bxf3 if White plays h3.
- After 3.dxc5 play ...Nc6 and ...e6, then win the pawn back with ...Bxc5.
- Consider ...cxd4 and ...Bf5 after Bb5, keeping a solid center and easy development.
Plans and pawn structure
The d4 pawn is the focus. Black piles up with ...Nc6, ...Bg4 and sometimes ...Qb6, and White defends with Nf3, e3 and c3. If White keeps everything protected, the game becomes a slow London structure where White's f4 bishop is well placed. If White takes on c5, Black recovers the pawn with ...e6 and ...Bxc5 and gets free development, while White uses c4 to attack d5. The f3 knight trade with ...Bxf3 gives Black easy play on the light squares.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position 0.00: level. Its three top choices for White:
- 0.00 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e3 Bg4 5.c3 e6
- −0.04 3.e3 Nc6 4.Bb5 cxd4 5.exd4 Bf5
- −0.07 3.dxc5 Nc6 4.Nf3 e6 5.e3 Bxc5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
4,608 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.0%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit Accepted3.dxc5 · rare
- Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit, Morris Countergambit Accepted3.e4 · rare
How to play against it
As White, do not panic about d4. Play 3.Nf3, e3 and c3, and answer ...Bg4 with h3. Avoid grabbing on c5 without a plan to follow with c4, or Black gets easy development. Keep an eye on b2 whenever the queen can come to b6.
Questions
What are the moves of the Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit?
The Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit starts 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5. Its ECO code is D00.
Is the Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position 0.00 at depth 20, which is level. In 4,608 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.0%. An active choice for Black players who want early counterplay, while White needs to know the c3 and h3 ideas.
What is the main idea of the Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit?
Black hits d4 with ...c5 before White completes the London setup. White defends with Nf3, e3 and c3, or takes on c5 and plays c4 against d5.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Nf3, with e3 and dxc5 close behind. 3.Nf3 develops and protects d4, keeping options like e3 and c3 for later.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.