Chessy
How to Play the Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit
After 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5, you are not trying to refute White's setup on the spot. You are asking White an early question and inviting a position where both sides have to play accurately. The engine says the position is balanced, and the practical score is close too. That makes this a useful drill: can you meet White's most common continuations calmly, keep development flowing, and reach a comfortable middlegame without drifting?
Play the Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit against the engine
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Create a free account →Why this move order matters
The move 2...c5 is a direct challenge to White's London structure. Instead of letting White build a comfortable setup in peace, you strike at the centre immediately and ask White to decide how to respond. The key idea is simple: stay active, develop smoothly, and do not let White treat the position as a free hand. Since the position is rated as equal, your job is not to force something special. Your job is to handle the opening with confidence and keep the game in balance.
What the engine likes here
Stockfish rates this +0.14, a tiny edge for White. That means you are basically equal here. The engine's best move is e3, with the continuation e3 Nf6 Nf3 e6, which is a very normal development path rather than a wild tactical battle. For Black, that is useful information: there is no need to panic, and no need to overreach. If White chooses a natural reply, you can aim for a solid setup and play chess.
What the database says White tries
This position appears a lot, which makes the practical results worth paying attention to. Across 3,030,803 games at this exact position, White wins 49.2%, draws 3.8%, and Black wins 47.0%. The most popular reply is e3, with 1,485,955 games and White scoring 50.1%. After that come c3, Nf3, dxc5, Nc3, and c4. The lesson is clear: White has several normal choices, so you should be ready to meet steady development rather than memorising one forced line.
The replies you should expect most often
The common continuations are all sensible developmental moves or simple central decisions. That means your approach should be flexible and principled. Against these setups, focus on piece activity, centre pressure, and king safety. Do not rush to win a pawn or chase tricks unless the position gives you a clear reason. In this opening, good habits matter more than memorised tactics, because the tabiya is stable and both sides usually head into a playable middlegame.
How to think in the drill
Use the drill to practise your first decisions as Black, not to hunt for a knockout. Ask yourself: can I finish development comfortably, can I answer White's central choice, and can I keep the position equal? Because the opening is balanced, small inaccuracies can still matter, but so can simple, accurate play. If you keep your pieces coordinated and stay alert to White's most common replies, you will be in good shape.
Results across 3,030,803 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e3 | 1,485,955 | 50.1% |
| c3 | 612,409 | 49.8% |
| Nf3 | 446,011 | 49.0% |
| dxc5 | 296,222 | 44.6% |
| Nc3 | 102,542 | 47.6% |
| c4 | 29,342 | 45.5% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit good for Black?
Yes, it is a perfectly playable way to meet the London. The position after 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 is rated as basically equal, so Black is not worse out of the opening. The main goal is to stay active and develop normally.
What is the engine's main recommendation here?
The engine's best move is e3, and the continuation given is e3 Nf6 Nf3 e6. That tells you White is likely to continue with calm development. As Black, you should be ready for a normal middlegame rather than a forced tactical sequence.
What is the most common reply from White?
The most-played continuation is e3, with 1,485,955 games. Other common choices are c3, Nf3, dxc5, Nc3, and c4. You should prepare for several natural setups, not just one move.
What does the database score say about this position?
Across 3,030,803 games at this exact position, White wins 49.2%, draws 3.8%, and Black wins 47.0%. Those numbers show a very close opening battle. Black is doing fine here if you play sensibly.
How many games feature the Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit?
Over 3 million Lichess games have reached the Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit position. White wins 49.2%, Black wins 47.0%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.