Tarrasch Defense: von Hennig Gambit position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 cxd4 5.Qxd4 Nc6 6.Qd1 exd5 7.Qxd5 Be6. White: queen on d5, 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, king on e1, bishop on f1, knight on g1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, 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, knight on c6, bishop on e6.
Tarrasch Defense: von Hennig Gambit is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 cxd4 5.Qxd4 Nc6 6.Qd1 exd5 7.Qxd5 Be6. 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.
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 cxd4 5.Qxd4 Nc6 6.Qd1 exd5 7.Qxd5 Be6.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Tarrasch Defense: von Hennig Gambit?
The Tarrasch Defense: von Hennig Gambit is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 cxd4 5.Qxd4 Nc6 6.Qd1 exd5 7.Qxd5 Be6. 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: von Hennig Gambit?
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 cxd4 5.Qxd4 Nc6 6.Qd1 exd5 7.Qxd5 Be6. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Tarrasch Defense: von Hennig Gambit good for beginners?
Players who prefer active pieces to solid structure and understand how to play with an isolated queen's pawn.