Queen's Pawn Game

1.d4, the Queen's Pawn Game, is the second most popular first move in chess, after 1.e4. The pawn takes a central square that the queen already protects, so unlike e4 it is not a target from the first move.

Origins

In the 19th and early 20th centuries 1.e4 was by far the most common start, and all openings with 1.d4 used to be classed together as the Queen's Pawn Game. As the Queen's Gambit became the main 1.d4 opening, and the hypermodern players popularised the Indian defences, the name narrowed. Today it is used either for all 1.d4 openings or only for those that are not a Queen's Gambit.

The idea

1.d4 prepares c4, the Queen's Gambit, or a quieter set-up with Nf3, e3 or Bf4.

Black's main answers

• 1...Nf6, the Indian Defense, the most common reply. It leads to the King's Indian, Nimzo-Indian, Grünfeld and more.
• 1...d5, the Closed Games, usually met by the Queen's Gambit.
• 1...e6, the Horwitz Defense, and 1...d6.
• 1...f5, the Dutch Defense.

White's systems

Other than the Queen's Gambit, common Queen's Pawn Game openings include:

• the London System with Bf4;
• the Colle System with e3 and Bd3;
• the Torre Attack with Bg5;
• the Stonewall Attack;
• the Trompowsky Attack and the Richter-Veresov Attack;
• the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, a gambit with a dubious reputation.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths

• The d4-pawn is protected, so White keeps the initiative with less risk.
• System openings let White play the same plan against almost any defence.
• A good way to steer the game into slow, strategic positions.

Weaknesses

• Black has many well-tested defences, from the solid Queen's Gambit Declined to the sharp King's Indian.
• The quiet systems give White a playable game rather than a real advantage.

Who should play it

1.d4 suits players who like to build up slowly, understand pawn structures and outplay the opponent in the middlegame. The London and Colle are popular among club players who want one reliable plan instead of a lot of theory.

The numbers

On Lichess White wins 48.8–50.5% and Black 43.6–45.3% at every rating band, with draws rising from 4.1–4.2% below 1800 to 7.6% from 2200 up. In master games over the board, White wins 32.5%, Black 22.7% and 44.8% are drawn.