Normal Variation, Traditional System

The Traditional System, also known as the Classical Variation, is the main setup of the Queen's Gambit Accepted. With 4...e6 Black opens the diagonal of the f8-bishop and accepts a modest pawn chain. The light-squared bishop is aimed at b7, although it sometimes ends up passively on d7. White nearly always regains the pawn at once with 5. Bxc4. The alternative 5. Nc3 transposes to the Quiet Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined: Vienna Variation, and 5. Be2 is rare.

After 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6, the traditional main line, Black challenges d4 and prepares ...b5, gaining time against the bishop. White's choices revolve around whether to prevent that expansion. The structure depends largely on how White meets ...cxd4. Recapturing with the e-pawn leaves an isolated d-pawn and a lively middlegame. Recapturing with a piece clears the center and usually leads to a level game in which Black can aim for a favorable endgame. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, while White scores somewhat better in Lichess games.