Tarrasch Defense
ECO D32-D34intermediate
The Tarrasch Defense, 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5, makes the most principled bargain in chess: Black accepts a permanent isolated d-pawn after the standard exchanges in return for completely unobstructed piece play. Siegbert Tarrasch considered it Black's only correct defense to the Queen's Gambit; modern theory is more measured but the defense remains a superb practical and educational choice — every game becomes a referendum on the isolated queen's pawn.
Main line
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 Be7
Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.
Win rates by rating
Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 49 | 40.8% | 10.2% | 49% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 |
| 600-800 | 37 | 48.6% | 2.7% | 48.7% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 |
| 800-1000 | 63 | 42.9% | 3.2% | 54% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 |
| 1000-1200 | 124 | 55.6% | 4% | 40.3% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 |
| 1200-1400 | 41 | 34.1% | 0% | 65.9% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 |
Most played continuations (1000-1200 rating)
After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6:
- e3 — played 33.9% of the time (White wins 61.9%, draws 4.8%, Black wins 33.3%)
- dxc5 — played 26.6% of the time (White wins 51.5%, draws 3%, Black wins 45.5%)
- Bf4 — played 16.1% of the time (White wins 55%, draws 5%, Black wins 40%)
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
Is the isolated d-pawn a weakness or a strength?
Both, and that tension is the whole opening. The pawn grants open lines, the e4/c4-adjacent outposts and attacking chances in the middlegame; it becomes a target in the endgame. Tarrasch players aim to convert their activity into something concrete before simplification — and avoid trades that don't help.
What is White's best setup against the Tarrasch?
The Rubinstein plan: g3, Bg2 and 0-0, aiming the bishop at d5 and blockading with Nb3/Be3 against the IQP. The mainline 9.Bg5 positions are a strategy textbook — White probes the pawn while Black generates kingside initiative with ...d4 breaks and piece activity.
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