Queen's Gambit accepted

Black should never try to hold onto the pawn in the QGA. 

But what if black tries to hold onto the pawn?

The b4 attempt to hold onto the pawn ends in disaster.

What if black tries to hold onto the pawn a slightly smarter way?

Better play from black:

It is pretty clear that black can never hold onto the pawn. So let's explore what happens with better play from black.

A common theme in the QGA is that black seeks to give white an isolated pawn. However, white will maintains a lead in development and the c3 bishop can be developed easily.

Another common approach:

In this variation black gives up both centre pawns. However the light squared bishop can now easily develop. Typically the black's light-squared bishop is blocked by the e6 pawn.

Common mistakes by black:

If white is not given an isolated d-pawn then white has to consider the best way to develop the dark-squared bishop.

See this example game for some ideas how to develop.

If white is not given the opportunity to isolate the d-pawn then the b-pawn can be pushed allowing development.