Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Chandler Variation position 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.Bg5 cxd4 10.Nxd4 h6 11.Be3 Re8 12.Rc1 Be6. White: knight on d4, knight on c3, bishop on e3, pawn on g3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, bishop on g2, pawn on h2, rook on c1, queen on d1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, queen on d8, rook on e8, king on g8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, bishop on e7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, knight on c6, bishop on e6, knight on f6, pawn on h6, pawn on d5.
Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Chandler Variation is a chess opening that arises 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.Bg5 cxd4 10.Nxd4 h6 11.Be3 Re8 12.Rc1 Be6. It is classified D34 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.
This line is a variation within the Tarrasch Defense 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 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.Bg5 cxd4 10.Nxd4 h6 11.Be3 Re8 12.Rc1 Be6.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Chandler Variation?
The Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Chandler Variation is a chess opening that arises 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.Bg5 cxd4 10.Nxd4 h6 11.Be3 Re8 12.Rc1 Be6. It is classified D34 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: Classical Variation, Chandler Variation?
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 Re8 12.Rc1 Be6. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Chandler Variation good for beginners?
Players who prefer active pieces to solid structure and understand how to play with an isolated queen's pawn.