D32intermediate

Tarrasch Defense

Black plays ...c5 in the Queen's Gambit, accepting an isolated queen pawn for active piece play. Championed by Siegbert Tarrasch.

37%
White wins
32%
Draw
31%
Black wins

Main Line Moves

1.d4d52.c4e63.Nc3c54.cxd5exd55.Nf3Nc66.g3Nf67.Bg2Be78.O-OO-O

Key Ideas

  • 1Active piece play compensates for the isolated d-pawn
  • 2Pieces become very active around the IQP
  • 3Black's pieces coordinate well for a kingside attack
  • 4The d5 pawn can be a weakness or a strength

Variations

Swedish Variation

d4d5c4e6Nc3c5cxd5exd5Nf3Nc6g3c4

Black pushes ...c4, creating an unusual pawn structure

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Related Openings