Queens Pawn, Accelerated London, Steinitz Countergambit
Queen’s Pawn Opening (1. d4)
Definition
The Queen’s Pawn Opening is the family of openings that begin with the move 1. d4 from White. By advancing the queen’s pawn two squares, White immediately contests the center and prepares to develop the dark-squared bishop to f4 or g5 while keeping options open for c2-c4. Unlike 1. e4, the c-pawn guards the d-pawn, so an immediate reply ...d5 produces a symmetrical, more solid pawn structure.
Typical Move Orders
- 1. d4 d5 — classical Queen’s Gambit positions after 2. c4.
- 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 — leads to Indian Defences (King’s Indian, Nimzo-Indian, Grünfeld, etc.).
- 1. d4 f5 — Dutch Defence.
- 1. d4 d6 2. e4 — transposes to a Pirc/Modern setup.
Strategic Themes
- Central Control: The pawn on d4 stakes out space and restricts Black’s minor pieces.
- Flexibility: White can decide later whether to play c2-c4, e2-e3, or Nf3, adapting to Black’s scheme.
- Slower Tactical Tempo: Because the position is initially closed, deep strategic plans often outweigh immediate tactics – a contrast to many 1. e4 openings.
Historical Significance
First championed in the mid-19th century by Howard Staunton, 1. d4 grew in popularity after Wilhelm Steinitz and Emanuel Lasker adopted it for match play. By the 1920s it was the choice of Capablanca, Alekhine and the hyper-modern school. Today it is considered just as theoretically sound as 1. e4 and is employed at every level, including most World Championship matches of the 21st century.
Illustrative Example
The above miniature (stylized) demonstrates how early pressure on the d-file and the semi-open c-file can give White attacking chances even in an apparently quiet Queen’s Pawn structure.
Interesting Facts
- Only one World Championship match since 1972 (Kramnik–Leko, 2004) featured no games beginning with 1. d4.
- The ECO (Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings) devotes the entire “D” volume and part of “E” to Queen’s-Pawn-origin openings.
Accelerated London System
Definition
The Accelerated London is a modern, streamlined version of the London System in which White plays Bc1-f4 on move 2, skipping the classical preparation with Nf3 and e3. The core idea is to develop the queen’s bishop before the opponent can disrupt it with ...c5 or ...Qb6.
Canonical Move Order
- 1. d4 d5 (or 1...Nf6)
- 2. Bf4 (the defining move)
- 3. e3, Nf3, Nd2, c3, and often h3 follow in flexible order.
Against 1...Nf6 Black sometimes answers 2...g6 or 2...c5, but the early bishop can still retreat to g3 or h2 without loss of time.
Strategic Aims
- Early Piece Activity: The bishop eyes the c7-point and helps support an eventual e2-e4 break.
- Stable Pawn Structure: With pawns on d4, e3, and c3, White builds an “iron triangle” that is hard to undermine.
- Smooth Development: Because the light-squared bishop is already active, White often castles quickly and launches a kingside pawn storm with h2-h3, g2-g4.
Model Game (shortened)
This blitz-speed game (Carlsen vs. So, Champions Chess Tour 2020) shows the Accelerated London’s potential for an early pawn storm when Black opts for a fianchetto.
Historical & Practical Notes
- Although Magnus Carlsen popularized 2. Bf4 in elite play (2016–2022), the move order was already a favorite of club players seeking theory-lite systems.
- Because it circumvents many sharp responses (e.g., Queen’s Indian set-ups after 2. c4), the Accelerated London often lets White reach middlegames with a small but persistent initiative.
Fun Fact
On online servers, the Accelerated London has become so common that some players jokingly call 1. d4 2. Bf4 the “Car-London” – a portmanteau of Carlsen + London.
Steinitz Countergambit (Ruy Lopez, 3…f5!?)
Definition
The Steinitz Countergambit is an aggressive reply to the Ruy Lopez: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5!?. Black immediately challenges the e4-pawn and opens the f-file, willingly accepting structural weaknesses for rapid piece play. Modern literature often labels the same line the Schliemann or Jaenisch Gambit, but 19th-century sources credited Wilhelm Steinitz with its systematic investigation, hence the alternative name.
Main Lines
- 4. Nc3 (modern preference) 4…fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5, when Black fights for the center.
- 4. d3 intending 5. exf5; Black can reply 4…fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 for rapid development.
- 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nc3 entering strategically rich positions with opposite-side pawn majorities.
Strategic Motifs
- King-side Pressure: The half-open f-file gives Black ready targets if White castles short.
- Imbalanced Structures: Black often gets doubled c-pawns after Bxc6, but those pawns grant central space for …d5.
- Time vs. Material: Black’s pawn on f5 may become weak in endgames; the gambit relies on dynamic compensation in the middlegame.
Historical Snapshot
Steinitz employed the countergambit in offhand games during the 1870s, claiming that “the best way to refute a gambit is to accept it.” Adolf Schliemann subsequently analysed it in depth, while Carl Jaenisch published extensive notes, leading to the multiple eponyms we see today.
Illustrative Game
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov – Teimour Radjabov, Tal Memorial Blitz 2014
In only 20 moves both queens are off the board, yet Black's active pieces and outside passed pawn compensate for the loosened kingside. The game ended in a dynamic draw.
Interesting Tidbits
- The line appears sparingly in classical time-control events but thrives in speed chess, where its surprise value is highest.
- Even engines such as Stockfish evaluate 3…f5!? as playable at depths >35, granting around –0.20, proving that romantic gambits can survive silicon scrutiny.
- Because of its early pawn lunge, some commentators dub it the “Spanish Dutch” – a Dutch-Defence idea transplanted into the Ruy Lopez.