Caissa Codex
D34

Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Classical Tarrasch Gambit

Chess diagram: Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Classical Tarrasch Gambit after 9…d4

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Statistics from Lichess

8,441 games: White 47.1% / Draw 5.6% / Black 47.3%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
6,0416,041
1,9591,959
136136
133133
9898
2929
2727
88

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.46 White is slightly better

Best play: 10. Na4 Bf5 11. b4 d3 12. b5 dxe2 13. Qxe2 Bd3 14. Qb2 Bxf1

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Classical Tarrasch Gambit (ECO D34, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a gambit in the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. dxc5 d4 (9 moves).

In 8,441 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.1%, Black 47.3% and 5.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 10. Na4, in 72% of those games.

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How to play against the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Classical Tarrasch Gambit

The most played answer, 10. Na4, also scores best for White: 53.9%, with White winning 50.9% and Black 43.1% of 6,041 games. Of the main answers, 10. Nb5 scores lowest: 44.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 10. Na4.

Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings

Other lines from the same position

Instead of 9. dxc5 d4, the position after Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Classical Tarrasch Gambit (D34)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/tarrasch-defense-classical-variation-classical-tarrasch-gambit

https://chesscodex.org/openings/tarrasch-defense-classical-variation-classical-tarrasch-gambit