Queens gambit accepted - 3.e3 or 3.e4?

I prefer Nc3. I don't think that any move order of what you mentioned will make any huge difference. Playing Nc3 disallows black of protecting the pawn (unless making bad moves).

3 Nf3 > 3 e4 > 3 e3 > 3 Nc3

@tygxc

Lol 😆 you just can't stay away from comments. Your placing of moves is based on what?? 0.01 difference of advantage?? Like i said it's a matter of preference and all moves mentioned are good

Yes, it is a matter of preference and all moves mentioned are good. But in fairness, I must admit that in playing the QGA myself I find that 3.Nf3,... by white does hinder black from playing e5 which the other 3 moves generally do not.

e4 tbh its reliable and takes center, and much easier to transform into winning position lol

def e4, it controls center

Yes, 3. Nf3 or 3. e4 are the strongest.

Just a matter of taste. 3.e3 allows e5 with IQP positions, 3.e4 allows b5 (the latest trend) with sharp, double-edged positions, and the most flexible move 3.Nf3 allows flexibility on Black's part as well.

I have mosty played 3.Nf3, but the 3.e3 positions are rational as well, and do not require a lot of memorizaion. Hardly the case after 3.e4.

3. Nf3 is the strongest. 3. e3 is also good because the counter 3. ... e5 is extremely difficult for black, positionally, so normally 3. Nf3 and 3. e3 mutually transpose. Without doubt, 3. e4 is less strong but in blitz it's probably better because 3. Nf3 is also very positional and involves complex manoeuvring.

3. e3 is better than that due to the weakness of the reply 3. ...e5. Against 3. Nc3 I play a6 and b5, which is justified because b5-b4 hits the knight. The real question is whether 3. e3 is stronger than 3. Nf3.

@Optimissed

a6, b5 is overextending. Black can't keep the pawn and should really castle quickly.

3. Nf3 is better imo as it prevents immediate 3...e5, you can then continue with 4.e3

@Chess16723

Definitely not dubious

3. Nc3 is considered rather dubious. It allows a variety of responses. For instance, one approach is to play a6 and b5. Another is probably e5, since Nc3 doesn't control e5.

Quite obviously you haven't read the Dlugy book.

He claims that after 3...a6 4.e3 b5 Black may equalize with precise play, but he has no winning chances, and of course 3.Nc3 (which he does not examine at all) a6 does not prevent 4.e3- actually 4.e3 works fine because there is no knight at f3:

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nc3 a6 (probably safest is 3...e5 4.e3 transposing to the 3.e3 line) 4.e3 b5 4.a4 b4 (positionally forced) 5.Bxc4! and Black cannot take the knight because of the stock Qf3 trick.

Very often people who play 3. Nc3 aren't all that strong and I've found in practice that a6 is a good approach and black would like to play Bf5 in that line to generate chances. Also very often, equality is enough for black and white will make an error somewhere. If not then a draw is a fair result. I don't really like the e5 approach but would play it if I only needed to draw.