Queen's Pawn Game: what to play after d5?

In this position from the Queen's Pawn Game, White has bolstered the center with an early pawn push to c3 and must decide how to develop the minor pieces. The engine recommends Bf4, which develops the dark-squared bishop outside the pawn chain before committing the e3 pawn, maintaining an evaluation of +0.01. Across more than 3.51 million recorded games, this continuation scores 52.9% for White and represents 19.8% of historical choices.

Developing the Bishop with Bf4

Opting for Bf4 is a standard method to set up London System structures while preserving pawn support on d4. By placing the bishop on f4 before playing e3, White avoids locking the piece behind the central pawn chain. A primary illustrative continuation follows Bf4 e6 e3 Bd6 Nf3 O-O, leading to harmonious piece coordination and rapid kingside development.

The Flexible Alternative Nf3

The most frequent choice in the database is Nf3, occurring in 42.6% of recorded games (1.50 million games) with a 53.2% score and an engine evaluation of -0.04. This natural developing move controls the e5 square while keeping multiple setups available for the remaining minor pieces. In the sample line Nf3 c5 dxc5 e6 b4 a5, play shifts toward queenside tension as Black challenges the white center immediately.

Other Strategic Options

White also frequently selects e3, seen in 24.7% of games (866K recorded) with an evaluation of -0.18 and a 50.3% score, often leading toward Stonewall or Colle formations such as e3 e6 Bd3 Nbd7 f4 c5. Another active possibility is Bg5, chosen in 12.9% of games (451K recorded, 50.5% score, evaluation -0.15), illustrated by the sequence Bg5 Nc6 Bf4 Nh5 Bg5 f6. The engine also notes a4 at an evaluation of -0.14, meeting thematic play via a4 e6 Bf4 c5 e3 Bd6.