Classical Defense, Steinitz Variation, Development Variation
- 1.d4d5
- 2.c4dxc4
- 3.Nf3Nf6
- 4.e3e6
- 5.Bxc4c5
- 6.O-ONc6
697 games
A Queen's Gambit Accepted line in which Black meets 6. O-O with 6...Nc6, developing and pressing d4 while keeping the central tension.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Development Variation
The Development Variation answers 6. O-O with 6...Nc6. The knight comes out and adds pressure on d4, instead of preparing ...b5 with 6...a6 or releasing the tension at once with 6...cxd4. White most often replies 7. Nc3, while 7. dxc5 clarifies the center and 7. Qe2 is the third choice. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, and Lichess results are nearly even, with Black slightly ahead.
Popular continuations
- 7. Nc3 Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Steinitz Variation, Development Variation 46% 320
- 7. dxc5 Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Steinitz Variation, Development Variation 20% 140
- 7. Qe2 Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Steinitz Variation, Development Variation 16% 109