ECO A40 · Queen's Pawn Game

Queen's Pawn Game

1. d4

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

1… d5+0.32

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Queen's Pawn Game (A40), reached after 1. d4, Stockfish 18 recommends 1… d5 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.32).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.321… d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Nf6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 a5 6. a3
  2. +0.341… e6 2. c4 d5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2
  3. +0.351… Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. e3 d5 4. Nc3 a6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Qc2

Other move orders

  • 1. d4 d6
  • 1. d4 d5
  • 1. d4 d5 2. e3
  • 1. d4 d5 2. e3 Nf6

All Queen's Pawn Game variations (48)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Queen's Pawn Game?
After 1. d4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 1… d5 for Black, continuing 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Nf6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 a5 6. a3. White is slightly better (+0.32). The next best moves are 1… e6 (+0.34) and 1… Nf6 (+0.35).
Is the Queen's Pawn Game a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.32: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Queen's Pawn Game?
A40. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).