Queen's Pawn: Krause, Reversed QGA
Queen's Pawn: Krause
Definition
The term “Queen’s Pawn: Krause” refers to the Queen’s Pawn Opening that begins 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bg5. By delaying the development of the c-pawn and bishop on c1, White opts for an early pin on the f6-knight, reminiscent of the Torre Attack, but with the subtle move-order nuance of having played …d5 instead of …Nf6 on the first move. In ECO codes this line is catalogued as D02.
Typical Move-Order
A common tabiya is:
- 1. d4 d5
- 2. Nf3 Nf6
- 3. Bg5 (Krause)
- 3… e6 (breaking the pin) or 3… c6 (heading for a Slav-like structure)
- 4. e3 (solid), 4. Nbd2 (more flexible), or 4. c4 (transposing to a Queen’s Gambit)
Strategic Ideas
- Piece Activity over Pawn Tension. White postpones c2–c4, aiming to complete development quickly and keep the position fluid.
- The f6–knight pin. The pin can irritate Black’s kingside and discourage the thematic …c7–c5 break until Black has prepared …h6 or …Be7.
- Hybrid Plans. Depending on Black’s reply, the game may transpose to the Torre Attack, London System, Colle, Queen’s Gambit, or even Catalan-type middlegames.
Historical Notes
Named after German master Paul Krause (1871–1955), the variation was popular in the early 20th century when classical players sought reliable queen-pawn setups that avoided the sharp theory of the Queen’s Gambit. In modern practice it serves as a practical weapon for players who enjoy Torre/London-style positions without allowing the ultra-solid …e6 Slav complexes.
Illustrative Example
Karpov employed the line to out-maneuver Tal in a rapid game (Tallinn, 1985). A simplified fragment:
White’s restrained set-up kept Tal from achieving a timely …c5–c4 push, and Karpov gradually seized the initiative on the kingside.
Interesting Facts
- Because 3. Bg5 can be played against virtually any second move by Black (e.g., …e6, …g6, …d5), many repertoire books dub it a “universal system” for club players.
- The Krause is occasionally seen at elite level as a surprise, e.g., Grischuk – Anand, Candidates 2014, where Grischuk drew comfortably with White.
- Computer engines evaluate the initial position as roughly equal (≈ +0.20) yet practical results slightly favor White in databases, thanks to easier development plans.
Reversed QGA (Reversed Queen’s Gambit Accepted)
Definition
“Reversed QGA” describes positions where Black captures White’s c-pawn in the English Opening, achieving the structure of the Queen’s Gambit Accepted with colors flipped. Because the colors are reversed, Black has in effect an “extra tempo,” yet White enjoys the first move. A typical sequence is: 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. cxd5 Nxd5—Black’s knight, not pawn, recaptures, mirroring the central control goals of the classical QGA.
Common Move-Orders
- 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 d5 4. cxd5 (Reversed Open Sicilian style)
- 1. c4 d5 2. cxd5 Nf6 (pure symmetrical) 3. Nc3 Nxd5
- 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 d5 3. cxd5 (flexible Réti move-order)
In each case Black regains the pawn swiftly—either with …Qxd5 or …Nxd5—ending up with the same pawn formation as the QGA: White pawns on d2/e2, Black pawns on d5/e6, yet colors reversed.
Strategic Themes
- Tempo Factor. With colors reversed, Black has “played the QGA a move faster,” giving him opportunities for dynamic counterplay (…c5, …e5) before White can consolidate.
- Minority Gambit Options. White may employ an early b2–b4 pawn thrust—the counterpart to the classical c2–c4 Minority Attack—since the c-file is half-open.
- Center vs. Pressure. As in the orthodox QGA, the side that accepted the pawn (here, Black) strives for central pawn breaks, whereas the “gambiteer” (White) aims to undermine those pawns with c- and e-file pressure.
Historical & Practical Significance
The Reversed QGA became fashionable in the 1980s when the English Opening gained popularity as a universal first move. Grandmasters such as Michael Adams and Peter Leko have successfully employed it as Black to sidestep heavy 1…c5 or 1…e5 theory while still fighting for the initiative.
Illustrative Game
Adams – Kramnik, Dortmund 2001: a textbook demonstration of Black’s extra tempo in the Reversed QGA.
Kramnik’s rapid …d5 break and harmonious development equalized comfortably and later yielded active chances on the kingside.
Interesting Tidbits
- The Reversed QGA can transpose into a Symmetrical English or even a reversed Open Sicilian if Black follows up with …c5 and …Nc6.
- Because the c-pawn has advanced to c4 and been exchanged, White occasionally castles queenside and throws the g- and h-pawns forward, a plan rarely seen in the normal QGA.
- Engines rate the starting tabiya after 4…Nxd5 as dead equal (≈ 0.00), highlighting how the extra move for each side cancels out.