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| Moves | 1.d4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ECO | A40–A99 D00–D99 E00–E99 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Synonyms | d4 Queen's Pawn Opening | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TheQueen's Pawn Game is anychess opening starting with the move:
It is the second most popular opening move after 1.e4 (theKing's Pawn Game). Black's most common replies are1...d5 and1...Nf6.
The term "Queen's Pawn Game" is usually used to describe openings beginning with 1.d4 where White does not play theQueen's Gambit. The most common Queen's Pawn Game openings are:
In theEncyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO),Closed Games (1.d4 d5) are classified under codes D00–D69. Openings where Black does not play 1...d5 are calledSemi-Closed Games and classified as:
In the 19th century and early 20th century,1.e4 was by far the most common opening move by White (Watson 2006:87), while the different openings starting with 1.d4 were considered somewhat unusual and therefore classed together as "Queen's Pawn Game".
As the merits of 1.d4 started to be explored, it was theQueen's Gambit which was played most often—more popular than all other 1.d4 openings combined. The term "Queen's Pawn Game" was then narrowed down to any opening with 1.d4 which was not a Queen's Gambit. Eventually, through the efforts of thehypermodernists, the various Indian Defences (such as theKing's Indian,Nimzo-Indian, andQueen's Indian) became more popular, and as these openings were named, the term "Queen's Pawn Game" narrowed further.
The Black responses given below are ranked in order of popularity according to ChessBase for FIDE-rated games.
This move prevents White from establishing a fullpawn centre with 2.e4. The opening usually leads to a form ofIndian Defence, but can also lead to versions of the Queen's Gambit if Black plays ...d5 at some point. Since 1...Nf6 is a move that is likely to be made anyway, the move is a flexible response to White's first move. White usually plays 2.c4. Then Black usually plays 2...e6 (typically leading to theNimzo-Indian,Queen's Indian, orQueen's Gambit Declined), 2...g6 (leading to theKing's Indian orGrünfeld Defence), or 2...c5 (leading to theBenoni Defence orBenko Gambit). Rarer tries include 2...e5 (Budapest Gambit) and 2...d6 (Old Indian Defence). White can also play 2.Nf3, which like Black's move is not specific as to opening. A third alternative is theTrompowsky Attack with 2.Bg5.
1...d5 (Closed Game) also prevents White from playing 2.e4 unless White wants to venture the dubiousBlackmar–Diemer Gambit. 1...d5 is not any worse than 1...Nf6, but committing the pawn to d5 at once makes it somewhat less flexible since Black can no longer play the Indian Defences, although if Black is aiming for Queen's Gambit positions this may be of minor importance. Also, a move like 2.Bg5 (Hodgson Attack) is considered relatively harmless compared to 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 since there is no knight on f6 for the bishop to harass. White's more common move is 2.c4, theQueen's Gambit, when Black usually chooses between 2...e6 (Queen's Gambit Declined), 2...c6 (Slav Defence) or 2...dxc4 (Queen's Gambit Accepted). White can also play 2.Nf3 which again is not specific as to opening. Then Black may play ...Nf6 (same as above) or ...e6. A Queen's Gambit may arise anyway if White plays c4 soon afterward, but lines like theColle System andTorre Attack are also possible.
TheFranco-Indian Defence is a chess opening characterized by the moves: 1.d4 e6. This play allows White to play 2.e4, entering theFrench Defence. If White wants to continue with a Queen's Pawn Game however, 2.c4 and 2.Nf3 usuallytranspose to a familiar opening such as theQueen's Gambit Declined,Nimzo-Indian orQueen's Indian. A line that is unique to the 1...e6 move order is theKeres Defence, 1.d4 e6 2.c4 Bb4+.
The Pillsbury Defence.[1] The move 2.e4 transposes to thePirc Defence. Or 2.Nf3 or 2.c4 may lead to aKing's Indian orOld Indian Defence, or Black may play 2...Bg4, sometimes called theWade Defence (A41, see1.d4 d6 2.Nf3 Bg4). 2.c4 e5 is theRat Defense, English Rat.
1...f5 is theDutch Defence. Common White moves are 2.g3, 2.Nf3, and 2.c4.
1...g6 is sometimes called theModern Defence line.White can play 2.e4 to enter the Modern Defence. More commonly, White plays 2.c4. Black may play 2...Nf6 for theKing's Indian Defence (same as 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6). More commonly, Black plays 2...Bg7. Then White's moves include 3.Nc3, 3.e4, and 3.Nf3. 3.Nc3 and 3.e4 often lead to the Modern Defence, Averbakh System, as well as 2...d6. White may also play 2.Nf3. Black may respond 2...Nf6 for the King's Indian, or more commonly, 2...Bg7. Common White responses are 3.e4, 3.c4, and 3.g3.
1...c5 is theOld Benoni Defence: this is a form of theBenoni Defence seldom used.
1...Nc6 is theQueen's Knight Defense (orMikenas Defense): this can usually transpose to theChigorin Defense or theNimzowitsch Defense.
This move allows White to play 2.e4, entering theCaro–Kann Defence. If, however, White wants to continue with a Queen's Pawn Game, 2.c4 and 2.Nf3 usually transpose to a familiar opening such as theSlav Defence,London System, orDutch Defence.
1...b6 is theEnglish Defence. Common White moves are 2.e4 (which transposes to theOwen Defense), 2.Nf3, and 2.c4.
1...b5 is thePolish Defence: this is risky and should be played with care. It is better to delay ...b5 until the 2nd move.
1...a6 can quickly transpose to theSt. George Defence.
1...e5?! is theEnglund Gambit: this gives up a pawn for questionablecompensation.
1...Na6 is theAustralian Defence.[2]
1...g5? is theBorg Defence, Borg Gambit: this simply loses a pawn to 2.Bxg5.
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