The big idea

What the Queen's Gambit (for White) is really about.

The classical way to fight for the centre with 1.d4. White offers the c-pawn not as a true sacrifice — Black can't comfortably hold it — but to deflect the d5-pawn and build a big pawn centre with a later e4. It leads to rich, principled middlegames and is the backbone of a sound White repertoire.

White's plan: Pressure d5 with c4 and Nc3, develop naturally (Bg5/Bf4, e3, Nf3, Bd3 or Be2), castle, and aim for the central break e4 or the minority attack (b4-b5) depending on Black's setup.
Black's plan: Decide how to meet the gambit: support d5 with ...e6 (solid but passive bishop) or ...c6 (the Slav, freeing the bishop), or grab the pawn with ...dxc4 and give back the centre. In each case, complete development and strike with ...c5 or ...e5.

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4

Queen's Gambit (Declined): White converts the central pressure into a long-term plan — the queenside minority attack (b4–b5 to create a weak black pawn) or the e4 break.

After the Queen's Gambit Declined, what are White's two main winning plans?

Answer the question to keep going!