You should show one of your games. Here is a sample:
You should show one of your games. Here is a sample:
Huh! That's rather clever! It seems I've been playing it all wrong!
3. e3!
Never thought of that before. (I have played 3. e4 however)
3. e4 and 3. Nc3 are also reasonable ways to play the queen's gambit. I am not as familiar with them as I am the 3. e3 lines. Unfortunately, the original poster did not give us any info as to how he has been playing it.
Note that there are lines where black retains an extra pawn, but 1) white doesn't have to allow these and 2) white has compensation in the form of more control over central squares and better development.
If you are just beginning in the queens gambit, than the easist way to re-capture the pawn is with the queen. Its not the strongest line but it is playable if you look up a few games and then give it a try.
I have heard that the Queen's gambit is not really a gambit, because black cannot hold on to the pawn.
I have been playing this opening for a few weeks, and black seems to have no
trouble taking the pawn, and holding on to it.
What am I missing?