Queen's Gambit Declined: Tarrasch Defense

The Tarrasch Defense is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined characterised by 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5, an aggressive bid for central space. This page shows the usual continuation 4.cxd5 exd5, with which White isolates Black's queen's pawn and attempts to exploit its weakness. Its ECO codes are D32–D34.

Origins

The opening was advocated by the German player Siegbert Tarrasch, who contended that the increased mobility Black enjoys is well worth the weakness of the isolated centre pawn. Many other masters, following the teachings of Wilhelm Steinitz, rejected the defence out of hand because of the pawn weakness, but Tarrasch kept playing it and rejected the other variations of the Queen's Gambit, even putting question marks on routine moves in all variations except the Tarrasch, which received an exclamation mark, in his book Die moderne Schachpartie.

The idea

After White plays cxd5 and dxc5, Black is left with an isolated pawn on d5. Such a pawn may be weak, since other pawns can no longer defend it, but it gives Black a foothold in the centre, and Black's bishops have open lines for development. The Tarrasch Defense is considered sound: even if Black fails to use the extra mobility and ends up in an inferior endgame, tied to the defence of the isolated pawn, accurate defence may hold the draw.

Main lines

• 5.Nf3 (Two Knights Variation in this database) is the most common move; it allows Nxd4 in reply to a later ...cxd4. After 5...Nc6 (5...Nf6 transposes to the Semi-Tarrasch Defense) the most common set-up is 6.g3 (Rubinstein System): the fianchettoed bishop presses on the d5-pawn, which Black can no longer protect with ...c6.
• The traditional main line continues 6...Nf6 7.Bg2 Be7 8.O-O O-O (Classical Variation). Today 9.Bg5 is the most frequent move, with 9.dxc5 and 9.b3 the main alternatives.
• 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5, a long-forgotten line, became a topic of theoretical debate at the top level in the 2010s, mainly through the efforts of Daniil Dubov (Dubov Tarrasch).
• 6...c4, the Swedish Variation, also called the Folkestone Variation, gives Black a four-to-three queenside pawn majority to advance with ...b5, while White aims for the central break e4. It is considered somewhat dubious and is rarely seen in modern practice.
• 6.dxc5 is a notable alternative to 6.g3 that has grown in popularity. Black's main reply is 6...d4, Tarrasch's original idea, and the main line continues 7.Na4 Bxc5 8.Nxc5 Qa5+ 9.Bd2 Qxc5.
• 5.e4 is a rare gambit tried by Frank Marshall.
• Instead of 4...exd5, Black can offer the Hennig–Schara Gambit with 4...cxd4 (Schara Gambit in this database). It was once tried by Alexander Alekhine, but it is considered advantageous for White.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths

• A foothold in the centre and free development for both bishops.
• Considered sound; even an inferior endgame may be held with accurate defence.

Weaknesses

• The isolated d5-pawn cannot be defended by other pawns, and White's fianchetto puts pressure on it.

Who should play it

The Tarrasch suits Black players who prefer active pieces and open lines to a passive position, and who are happy to defend an isolated queen's pawn when needed.

The numbers

In 686,706 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 and 2500, White won 49.0%, Black 44.8%, and 6.2% were drawn. White is ahead below 2200: 51.5% against 44.7% under 1400, 52.1% against 43.6% at 1400–1799 and 48.9% against 45.4% at 1800–2199. From 2200 up Black is slightly ahead, 45.6% against 44.6%. In about 3,600 master games White won 36.2%, Black 16.2%, and 47.6% were drawn.