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.

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Main line

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

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.

Move by move

The first 12 moves of the main line, explained one at a time. Every move of every variation is annotated like this inside the trainer — this page shows the opening moves so you can judge the explanations before signing up.

White advances the pawn to d4, staking a claim in the center and giving the bishop and queen room to develop.
Black answers with d5, matching White right in the center. Both sides now have a pawn fighting for the middle of the board.
White pushes the c-pawn to c4, the Queen's Gambit! This pawn challenges Black's center pawn on d5 and opens lines for the queen and bishop.
Black supports the center with e6, giving the d5 pawn a friendly neighbor and opening a path for the dark-squared bishop to develop later.
The knight leaps to c3, a great central square where it supports the c4 pawn and adds pressure to the middle of the board.
Black pushes c5, striking at White's d4 pawn right away. This is the Tarrasch Defense — Black fights for the center with energy!
White's c-pawn captures the pawn on d5, trading pawns in the center. This opens up the position and gives both sides more room to move.
Black recaptures on d5 with the e-pawn. The pawn takes back the square and keeps Black's center connected and strong.
The knight jumps to f3, a strong central square. It guards the d4 pawn and eyes key squares in the heart of the board.
Black develops the knight to c6, a natural square where it supports the d5 pawn and helps control the center.
White nudges the g-pawn to g3, making room for the bishop to go to g2. This is the start of a fianchetto — a strong diagonal setup.
Black's knight hops to f6, a wonderful square. It develops a piece, guards the d5 pawn, and keeps an eye on the center.

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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	95	44.2%	8.4%	47.4%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6
600-800	48	39.6%	2.1%	58.3%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6
800-1000	32	56.3%	6.3%	37.5%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6
1000-1200	154	53.2%	3.2%	43.5%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6
1200-1400	480	48.3%	3.3%	48.3%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6
1400-1600	1,236	51.3%	3.6%	45.1%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6
1600-1800	271	48.3%	4.1%	47.6%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6
1800-2000	589	52%	6.6%	41.4%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6
2000-2200	1,181	50.1%	6.9%	43%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6
2200-2400	1,212	45.7%	9.3%	45%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6

Most played continuations (1400-1600 rating)

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6:

Bg2 — played 80.6% of the time (White wins 52.5%, draws 3.5%, Black wins 44%)
dxc5 — played 7% of the time (White wins 52.3%, draws 3.5%, Black wins 44.2%)
e3 — played 6.9% of the time (White wins 35.3%, draws 4.7%, Black wins 60%)

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.