In addition to the previously covered structures that usually arise after 1.e4 e5, it is time to also review 1.d4 d5: the Queen’s Gambit, where we will mainly take a closer look at the classical Queen’s Gambit.
We start with a statement by Siegbert Tarrasch, who once let slip that Black should answer the opening move 1.d4 with 1...d5. Because otherwise Black would lose the battle for the centre without a fight. That this dogmatic view would attract criticism was also clear.
One of its fiercest opponents, Aron Nimzowitsch, countered by saying that the centre could also be covered with pieces as after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4. That this approach would later bear his name (the Nimzo-Indian) must have pleased him.
Nevertheless, it is fair to say that the Queen's Gambit has been part of the repertoire of almost every world champion, partly because of the interesting positions that can arise in these structures. Every player needs to know the basic strategies of handling positions with an isolated queen's pawn or positions with hanging pawns to become better.
Hence, I have taken up the gauntlet to try to give a clear treatise on the various variants encountered in this opening, with a few standard plans attached.
In the diagram position below, White is mounting a dangerous attack against the black king. Black seems to have briefly halted that attack with 18...g6. How did White still pull off a fierce attack?
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