Queen's Gambit Declined: Tarrasch Defense position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5. White: pawn on d4, knight on c3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, knight on g1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, knight on g8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on c5, pawn on d5.
Queen's Gambit Declined: Tarrasch Defense is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5. It is classified D32 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Queen's Gambit Declined meets 1.d4 d5 2.c4 by supporting the d5 pawn with e6 rather than capturing. It is one of the most respected defences in chess, chosen in world championship matches for over a century because it gives Black a rock-solid centre that is very hard to break down.
This position can also be reached by 3 other move orders, including 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bg5 Be7.
Strategic character
Black shuts in the light-squared bishop with e6 in exchange for a stable centre. The recurring strategic themes are freeing the position with c5 or e5, and the minority attack, where White advances the queenside pawns to create a weakness in Black's structure.
Who should play it
Players who want a dependable answer to 1.d4 and are comfortable in classical positions where small structural advantages decide the game.
This line is a variation within the Queen's Gambit Declined family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5.
Variations continuing from this position
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5. Open any of them to load the position on the board.
What is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Tarrasch Defense?
The Queen's Gambit Declined: Tarrasch Defense is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5. It is classified D32 in the ECO system. The Queen's Gambit Declined meets 1.d4 d5 2.c4 by supporting the d5 pawn with e6 rather than capturing. It is one of the most respected defences in chess, chosen in world championship matches for over a century because it gives Black a rock-solid centre that is very hard to break down.
What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Declined: Tarrasch Defense?
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Tarrasch Defense good for beginners?
Players who want a dependable answer to 1.d4 and are comfortable in classical positions where small structural advantages decide the game.
What variations come from the Queen's Gambit Declined: Tarrasch Defense?
Named continuations include Tarrasch Defense: Marshall Gambit, Tarrasch Defense: Two Knights Variation, Tarrasch Defense: Rubinstein System, Tarrasch Defense: Prague Variation, Tarrasch Defense: Swedish Variation. There are 21 named variations reachable from this position in total.