The _Queen's Gambit_, 1. P to Q 4, P to Q 4; 2. P to Q B 4, P takes P; 3. P
to K 3, or 3. P to K 4, or 3. Kt to K B 3, &c., is rarely played, because
the Gambit pawn cannot, as in the King's Gambit, be defended by Black with
the Knight's pawn; therefore the offered Gambit is usually declined (say,
by 2. ... P to K 3), and the games take the form of close openings. The
Queen's Gambit Declined is a very popular Opening in tournaments.