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    Chess Openings

    Tarrasch Defense

    1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 · ECO D32

    Tarrasch Defense position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5. White: pawn on c4, 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 e6, pawn on c5, pawn on d5.

    Tarrasch Defense is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5. It is classified D32 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Tarrasch Defense answers the Queen's Gambit with an immediate c5, accepting an isolated queen's pawn in exchange for free piece play and open lines. Siegbert Tarrasch argued that the activity was worth the structural weakness, against the prevailing opinion of his time.

    Strategic character

    A clean strategic trade-off. Black gets active pieces, open files, and easy development; White gets a permanent structural target on d5 and plays to reach an endgame where the isolated pawn is weak.

    Who should play it

    Players who prefer active pieces to solid structure and understand how to play with an isolated queen's pawn.

    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. Open any of them to load the position on the board.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the Tarrasch Defense?
    The Tarrasch Defense is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5. It is classified D32 in the ECO system. The Tarrasch Defense answers the Queen's Gambit with an immediate c5, accepting an isolated queen's pawn in exchange for free piece play and open lines. Siegbert Tarrasch argued that the activity was worth the structural weakness, against the prevailing opinion of his time.
    What are the moves of the Tarrasch Defense?
    1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5. After these moves it is white to move.
    Is the Tarrasch Defense good for beginners?
    Players who prefer active pieces to solid structure and understand how to play with an isolated queen's pawn.
    What variations come from the Tarrasch Defense?
    Named continuations include Queen's Gambit Declined: Tarrasch Defense, Tarrasch Defense: Schara Gambit, Tarrasch Defense: Marshall Gambit, Tarrasch Defense: Two Knights Variation, Tarrasch Defense: Symmetrical Variation. There are 25 named variations reachable from this position in total.

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