D32
Tarrasch Defense
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5
In the Tarrasch Defense, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.
The Tarrasch Defense is a chess opening classified under ECO code D32. It is reached after the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5: 6 moves in, with White to play.
Learn its typical plans and pawn structures rather than memorizing moves — that’s what holds up over the board.
25 named variations branch from this position; the list at the end of the page goes one move deeper into each.
Play the Tarrasch Defense? See where you go wrong.
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Analyze my games free →Variations of the Tarrasch Defense
- Grunfeld Gambit1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. dxc5 d4 7. Na4 b5
- Marshall Gambit1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e4
- Schara Gambit1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 cxd4
- Symmetrical Variation1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. e3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6
- Tarrasch Gambit1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. dxc5 d4 6. Na4 b5
- Two Knights Variation1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3
- von Hennig Gambit1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 cxd4 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qd1 exd5 7. Qxd5 Be6
- Dubov Tarrasch1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bc5
- Prague Variation1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6
- Rubinstein System1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3
- Swedish Variation1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 c4
- Swedish Variation, Central Break1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 c4 7. e4
- Wagner Variation1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Bg4
- Classical Variation1. 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
- Classical Variation, Advance Variation1. 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 c4
- Classical Variation, Bogoljubow Variation1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. Nf3 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. g3 Nc6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Bg5 Be6 10. Rc1 c4
- Classical Variation, Carlsbad Variation1. 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
- Classical Variation, Chandler Variation1. 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
- Classical Variation, Classical Tarrasch Gambit1. 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. dxc5 d4
- Classical Variation, Endgame Variation1. 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 Be6
- Classical Variation, Main Line1. 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
- Classical Variation, Petursson Variation1. 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 Re8
- Classical Variation, Reti Variation1. 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. dxc5 Bxc5 10. Na4
- Classical Variation, Spassky Variation1. 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 Bg4
- Prague Variation, Main Line1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7
Related openings
Queen's Gambit Declined: Tarrasch DefenseTarrasch Defense: Grunfeld GambitTarrasch Defense: Marshall GambitTarrasch Defense: Schara GambitTarrasch Defense: Symmetrical VariationTarrasch Defense: Tarrasch GambitTarrasch Defense: Two Knights VariationTarrasch Defense: von Hennig GambitTarrasch Defense: Dubov TarraschTarrasch Defense: Prague Variation