Queens Gambit Accepted - Classical Alekhine System
Queen’s Gambit Accepted — Classical (Alekhine) System
Definition
The Classical (Alekhine) System of the Queen’s Gambit Accepted (QGA) is a branch of the opening that arises after the moves:
1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6
Black returns the pawn and builds a solid, classical setup with …Nf6, …e6 and …c5, reinforced by the prophylactic …a6. The line is named after the fourth World Champion, Alexander Alekhine, who popularised the …a6 idea in the 1920s.
How the System Is Used
- For Black:
- Fight for the central d5-square by preparing …cxd4 followed by …Nc6 or …b5.
- Keep a flexible pawn structure; Black can choose between an IQP (after …cxd4 exd4) or a Semi-Tarrasch structure (after …cxd4 Nxd4).
- Delay piece commitments; the light-squared bishop often develops to b7 after …b5, or to e7/c5 if the position demands.
- For White:
- Exploit the slight loss of time caused by …a6 to seize the initiative.
- Typical plans include a quick d4-d5 breakthrough, pressure on the d-file, or kingside expansion with Re1, Nc3, Qe2 and Rd1.
- Common continuations: 7. Qe2, 7. a4, 7. dxc5, or the sharp 7. Nc3 b5 8. Bd3.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The Classical line was once viewed as a safe equalising weapon, but modern engines reveal rich, dynamic possibilities for both colours. Alekhine first employed the variation against players such as Nimzowitsch (Carlsbad 1923) and Réti (Vienna 1922), demonstrating that Black could meet 1.d4 without locking the light-squared bishop behind the e-pawn.
Grandmasters like Anatoly Karpov in the 1970s, Vladimir Kramnik in the 1990s, and Fabiano Caruana in the 2010s periodically revived the system at the highest level, especially in rapid and blitz play where its flexibility is valuable.
Typical Plans and Motifs
- Minority break …b5–b4. After consolidating with …b5, Black can undermine White’s c4-bishop and queenside structure.
- d4-d5 push for White. If Black delays …cxd4, White may break in the centre, gaining space and opening lines for the bishops.
- Isolated Queen’s Pawn (IQP) positions. After 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8, an endgame with an isolated pawn on d5 often arises, rich in manoeuvring play.
- Piece activity vs. structure. White strives for rapid development and pressure; Black banks on a sound pawn formation and latent queenside expansion.
Illustrative Game
Anand – Caruana, Wijk aan Zee 2013
This attacking gem shows how Black’s harmonious development in the Alekhine System can generate a devastating counter-punch when White overpresses.
Notable Games & References
- Alekhine – Réti, Vienna 1922
- Karpov – Timman, Tilburg 1982
- Kasparov – Anand, World Championship (PCA) 1995, game 10
- Caruana – Kramnik, Candidates 2018 (rapid playoff)
Interesting Facts
- Alexander Alekhine rarely answered 1.d4 with …d5, yet the one time he experimented with it he introduced the novelty 6…a6, leaving his name forever attached to the variation.
- The move …a6 prepares …b5, but it also keeps the black queen out of the a5-check square, a finesse that often saves a tempo later.
- Because the line offers both solid and dynamic options, it is a favourite surprise weapon in elite rapid events, where preparation time is minimal.
Related Concepts
- Queen's Gambit Accepted – the parent opening.
- Isolated Queen’s Pawn – a common structure resulting from …cxd4.
- Minority attack – mirrored idea for Black with …b5-b4.