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{{Short description|Chess opening}}
{{redirect|Queen's Pawn|the novel by Victor Canning|Queen's Pawn (novel)}}
{{Infobox chess opening
|openingname = Queen's Pawn Game
|image = {{Chess diagram|| 
|rd|nd|bd|qd|kd|bd|nd|rd
|pd|pd|pd|pd|pd|pd|pd|pd
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  
|  |  |  |pl|  |  |  |  
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  
|pl|pl|pl|  |pl|pl|pl|pl
|rl|nl|bl|ql|kl|bl|nl|rl
}}
|moves = 1.d4
|ECO = A40–A99 <br />D00–D99 <br />E00–E99
|birth =
|nameorigin =
|AKA = d4
|chessgid = 10703&move=1.5&moves=d4
}}

The '''Queen's Pawn Game''' is any [[chess opening]] starting with the move:
: [[b:Chess Opening Theory/1. d4|1. d4]]

It is the second-most popular opening move after [[1.e4]] ([[King's Pawn Game]]).
{{AN chess|pos=toc}}

==Terminology==
The term "Queen's Pawn Game" is usually used to describe openings beginning with 1.d4 where White does not play the [[Queen's Gambit]]. The most common Queen's Pawn Game openings are: 
* The [[London System]], 2.Bf4 or 2.Nf3 and 3.Bf4 
* The [[Trompowsky Attack]], 1...Nf6 2.Bg5 and the [[Hodgson Attack|Pseudo-Trompowsky]] 1...d5 2.Bg5 
* The [[Torre Attack]], 2.Nf3 and 3.Bg5 
* The [[Stonewall Attack]], 2.e3 
* The [[Colle System]], 2.Nf3 and 3.e3 
* The [[King's Fianchetto Opening]], 2.Nf3 and 3.g3
* The [[Barry Attack]], 1...Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4
* The [[Richter–Veresov Attack]], 1...d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5 or 1...Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bg5  
* The [[Blackmar–Diemer Gambit]], 1...d5 2.e4, and the Hübsch Gambit 1...Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4
* The [[Nimzo-Indian Defence]], 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4

In the ''[[Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings]]'' (''ECO''), [[Closed Game]]s (1.d4 d5) are classified under codes D00–D69. Openings where Black does not play 1...d5 are called [[Semi-Closed Game]]s and classified as:
* [[Indian Defence]]s, where Black plays 1...Nf6 (''ECO'' codes A45–A79, D70–D99, E00–E99); for instance the [[Queen's Indian Defence]] (''ECO'' E12–E19);
* other Queen's Pawn Games, where Black plays neither 1...d5 nor 1...Nf6; these include the [[Dutch Defence]] (''ECO'' A40–A44 and A80–A99).

==History==
In the 19th century and early 20th century, [[b:Chess Opening Theory/1. e4|1.e4]] was by far the most common opening move by White {{Harvcol|Watson|2006|p=87}}, while the different openings starting with 1.d4 were considered somewhat unusual and therefore classed together as "Queen's Pawn Game".

As the merits of 1.d4 started to be explored, it was the [[Queen's Gambit]] which was played most often—more popular than all other 1.d4 openings combined. The term "Queen's Pawn Game" was then narrowed down to any opening with 1.d4 which was not a Queen's Gambit. Eventually, through the efforts of the [[hypermodernism (chess)|hypermodernists]], the various Indian Defences (such as the [[King's Indian Defence|King's Indian]], [[Nimzo-Indian Defence|Nimzo-Indian]], and [[Queen's Indian Defense|Queen's Indian]]) became more popular, and as these openings were named, the term "Queen's Pawn Game" narrowed further.

==Continuations==
The Black responses given below are ranked in order of popularity according to ChessBase for FIDE-rated games.

=== 1...Nf6 ===
This move prevents White from establishing a full {{chessgloss|pawn centre}} with 2.e4. The opening usually leads to a form of [[Indian Defence]], but can also lead to versions of the Queen's Gambit if Black plays ...d5 at some point. Since 1...Nf6 is a move that is likely to be made anyway, the move is a flexible response to White's first move. White usually plays 2.c4. Then Black usually plays 2...e6 (typically leading to the [[Nimzo-Indian]], [[Queen's Indian]], or [[Queen's Gambit Declined]]), 2...g6 (leading to the [[King's Indian]] or [[Grünfeld Defence]]), or 2...c5 (leading to the [[Benoni Defence]] or [[Benko Gambit]]). Rarer tries include 2...e5 ([[Budapest Gambit]]) and 2...d6 ([[Old Indian Defence]]). White can also play 2.Nf3, which like Black's move is not specific as to opening. A third alternative is the [[Trompowsky Attack]] with 2.Bg5.

=== 1...d5 ===
1...d5 ([[Closed Game]]) also prevents White from playing 2.e4 unless White wants to venture the dubious [[Blackmar–Diemer Gambit]]. 1...d5 is not any worse than 1...Nf6, but committing the pawn to d5 at once makes it somewhat less flexible since Black can no longer play the Indian Defences, although if Black is aiming for Queen's Gambit positions this may be of minor importance. Also, a move like 2.Bg5 ([[Hodgson Attack]]) is considered relatively harmless compared to 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 since there is no knight on f6 for the bishop to harass. White's more common move is 2.c4, the [[Queen's Gambit]], when Black usually chooses between 2...e6 ([[Queen's Gambit Declined]]), 2...c6 ([[Slav Defence]]) or 2...dxc4 ([[Queen's Gambit Accepted]]). White can also play 2.Nf3 which again is not specific as to opening. Then Black may play ...Nf6 (same as above) or ...e6. A Queen's Gambit may arise anyway if White plays c4 soon afterward, but lines like the [[Colle System]] and [[Torre Attack]] are also possible.

=== 1...e6 ===
The [[Franco-Indian Defence]] is a chess opening characterized by the moves: 1.d4 e6. This play allows White to play 2.e4, entering the [[French Defence]]. If White wants to continue with a Queen's Pawn Game however, 2.c4 and 2.Nf3 usually [[Transposition (chess)|transpose]] to a familiar opening such as the [[Queen's Gambit Declined]], [[Nimzo-Indian]] or [[Queen's Indian]]. A line that is unique to the 1...e6 move order is the [[Keres Defence]], 1.d4 e6 2.c4 Bb4+.

=== 1...d6 ===
This move also allows 2.e4 entering the [[Pirc Defence]]. If White avoids this, 2.Nf3 or 2.c4 may lead to a [[King's Indian]] or [[Old Indian Defence]], or Black may play 2...Bg4, sometimes called the [[Wade Defence]] (A41, see [[b:Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d6/2. Nf3/2...Bg4|1.d4 d6 2.Nf3 Bg4]]). 2.c4 e5 is the [[Rat Defense, English Rat]].

=== 1...f5 ===
1...f5 is the [[Dutch Defence]]. Common White moves are 2.g3, 2.Nf3, and 2.c4.

=== 1...g6 ===
1...g6 is sometimes called the [[Modern Defence]] line.
White can play 2.e4 to enter the Modern Defence. More commonly, White plays 2.c4. Black may play 2...Nf6 for the [[King's Indian Defence]] (same as 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6). More commonly, Black plays 2...Bg7. Then White's moves include 3.Nc3, 3.e4, and 3.Nf3. 3.Nc3 and 3.e4 often lead to the Modern Defence, Averbakh System, as well as 2...d6. White may also play 2.Nf3. Black may respond 2...Nf6 for the King's Indian, or more commonly, 2...Bg7. Common White responses are 3.e4, 3.c4, and 3.g3.

=== 1...c5 ===
1...c5  is the [[Benoni Defense#Old Benoni|Old Benoni Defence]]: this is a form of the [[Benoni Defence]] seldom used.

=== 1...Nc6 ===
1...Nc6 is the [[Queen's Knight Defense]] (or [[Vladas Mikėnas|Mikenas]] Defense): this can usually transpose to the [[Chigorin Defense]] or the [[Nimzowitsch Defense]].

=== 1...c6 ===
This move allows White to play 2.e4, entering the [[Caro–Kann Defence]]. If, however, White wants to continue with a Queen's Pawn Game, 2.c4 and 2.Nf3 usually transpose to a familiar opening such as the [[Slav Defence]], [[London System]], or [[Dutch Defence]].

=== 1...b6 ===
1...b6 is the [[English Defence]]. Common White moves are 2.e4 (which transposes to the [[Owen Defense]]), 2.Nf3, and 2.c4.

=== 1...b5 ===
1...b5 is the [[Polish Defence]]: this is risky and should be played with care. It is better to delay ...b5 until the 2nd move.

=== 1...a6 ===
1...a6 can quickly transpose to the [[St. George Defence]].

=== 1...e5 ===
1...e5{{chesspunc|?!}} is the [[Englund Gambit]]: this gives up a pawn for questionable [[Compensation (chess)|compensation]]. 

=== 1...Na6 ===
1...Na6 is the [[Australian Defence (chess)|Australian Defence]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chess.com/openings/Queens-Pawn-Opening-Australian-Defense|title=Queen's Pawn Opening: Australian Defense - Chess Openings}}</ref>

=== 1...g5 ===
1...g5{{chesspunc|?}} is the [[Borg Defense]], Borg Gambit: this simply loses a pawn to 2.Bxg5.

==See also==
* [[List of chess openings]]
* [[Closed Game]]

==References==
{{wikibooks|Chess Opening Theory|1. d4|Queen's Pawn Opening}}
{{Reflist}}

'''Bibliography'''
* {{Citation
 |last=Watson|first=John|author-link=John L. Watson
 |title=Mastering the Chess Openings, vol 1
 |year=2006
 |publisher=Gambit
 |isbn= 978-1-904600-60-2}}

{{White's twenty opening moves in chess}}
{{chess}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Chess openings]]