Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, McDonnell Defense

The move d4 in chess is an essential part of opening strategy for white pieces. It provides control over the center of the board and opens up lines for the queen and bishop to develop. By occupying a central square, the pawn restricts black's pawn mobility and reduces their options for developing their own pieces. This move is the start of the Queen's Gambit opening where white offers a pawn to black's d5 pawn in exchange for the initiative and control of the center. The Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, McDonnell Defense is a continuation of this opening where black captures the gambit pawn and white responds with e4 to regain control over the center.

In response to white's d4 move, black plays d5 which also aims to control the central squares of the board. By advancing this pawn, black declares their intention to claim their share of the center. The move d5 also supports black's pieces in their development and creates opportunities to challenge white's position. However, it also creates a potential weakness in the pawn structure making it vulnerable to attack. Black must be careful in their handling of the pawn in order to maintain their position in the game.

White's move c4 following the opening moves of 1. d4 d5, is a key element of the Queen's Gambit opening. This move aims to further control the central squares of the board and create space for white's pieces to develop. The pawn on c4 also prepares for the subsequent move dxc4, offering a pawn in exchange for an opportunity to gain control of the center and develop the queen-side bishop. By opening the diagonal for the bishop, white can apply pressure on black's position and launch an attack against the vulnerable d5 pawn. In sum, the move c4 is an important strategic move in the Queen's Gambit opening.

In the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, McDonnell Defense, black's move dxc4 is a common and accepted response to white's c4 move. This move aims to capture white's gambit pawn and prevent white from maintaining full control of the central squares. By taking the pawn, black can also gain some space on the board and free up their pieces for development. However, it does come with a potential drawback of weakening the pawn structure in the center of the board. Black must be careful in their handling of this pawn and guard against potential threats from white's pieces. In sum, dxc4 is a key move in the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, McDonnell Defense for black to assert their own presence on the board.

White's move e4 following the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4, is a critical response in the Queen's Gambit opening. This move aims to regain control of the center and challenge black's position. The pawn on e4 also opens lines for white's queen and bishop, allowing them to be developed and exert pressure on black's pieces. By advancing the pawn, white also attacks black's dxc4 pawn, forcing black to decide whether to defend it or retreat it. This move can be a powerful attacking move, but also carries some risk as it creates pawn weaknesses on the king's side. In sum, e4 is a strategic and dynamic move in the Queen's Gambit opening for white.

Black's move e5, following the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4, aims to solidify their central pawn structure and counterattack against white's control of the center. This move frees up space for black's pieces to develop and challenges white's knight on c3. It can also be used to attack the pawn on f4 after white's f3 move. However, it also comes with some risks, such as potentially exposing the king to attack and blocking in black's bishop on c8. Nevertheless, e5 is an important and common move in the Queen's Gambit opening for black to fight back against white's position and gain their own foothold on the board.