Tree path 13 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Queen's Gambit › Queen's Gambit Declined › Queen's Knight Variation › Tarrasch Defense › Queen's Gambit Declined: Tarrasch Defense › Tarrasch Defense: Two Knights Variation › Tarrasch Defense: Rubinstein System › Tarrasch Defense: Prague Variation › Main Line › Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation › Carlsbad Variation › Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Spassky Variation
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Pawn Game D00
- Queen's Gambit D06
- Queen's Gambit Declined D30
- Queen's Knight Variation D31
- Tarrasch Defense D32
- Queen's Gambit Declined: Tarrasch Defense D32
- Tarrasch Defense: Two Knights Variation D32
- Tarrasch Defense: Rubinstein System D33
- Tarrasch Defense: Prague Variation D33
- Main Line D34
- Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation D34
- Carlsbad Variation D34
- Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Spassky Variation D34 you are here
Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Spassky Variation
Overview
Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Spassky Variation is a named branch in the Closed & Semi-Closed Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO D34.
The Closed & Semi-Closed Games group covers closed and semi-closed games — 1.d4 systems characterised by long strategic manoeuvring rather than early tactics.
The line arises from 22 plies — specifically the moves 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. Bg5 cxd4 10. Nxd4 h6 11. Be3 Bg4.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Carlsbad Variation, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- D34
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 22
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
3,169 games · White 45.8% / Draw 8.8% / Black 45.4%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| h3 | 1,550 | |
| Rc1 | 530 | |
| Qa4 | 430 | |
| Qb3 | 213 | |
| Nxc6 | 149 | |
| f3 | 73 | |
| Re1 | 63 | |
| Qd2 | 56 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:29:27
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