If your opponent offers you a draw, try to work out why he thinks he’s worse off.
/Nigel Short/
LESSON OF THE DAY: Queen’s Gambit
One of the fundamental variations of 1.d4 is the Queen's Gambit. White immediately strikes at Black's central pawn from the side. Although the c4 pawn is not guarded, this is not a 'real' gambit, since White can always get the pawn back if he wants.
Pros:
Fights to conquer the center
Puts immediate pressure on Black
Gains space
Cons:
White may have to spend time getting the pawn back
Less attacking chances on the black king
Black may aim to counterattack d4
Variations of the Queen’s Gambit Opening
Queen’s Gambit Accepted
Alekhine Variation
1.D4 d5
2.C4 dxc4
3.Nf3 Nf6
4.E3 e6
5.Bxc4 c5
6.0-0 a6
Queen’s Gambit Declined
Lasker Defence
1.D4 d5
2.C4 e6
3.Nc3 Nf6
4.Bg5 Be7
5.E3 0-0
6.Nf3 h6
Pros:
Provides an escape square for Black’s king
Doesn’t waste a tempo guarding the h7 pawn
Cons: Creates a weakness in front of the king
7.Bh4 Ne4
8.Bxe7 Qxe7
9.Rc1 c6
10.Bd3 Nxc3
Immortal Chess Game
Georg Rotlewi vs Akiba Rubinstein
“Rubinstein’s Immortal” Lodz (1907), Lodz POL
Queen’s Gambit Declined: Symmetrical Variation
Attaching the King