ECO D32 · for Black
Tarrasch Defense
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
730,292 games in this band reached the Tarrasch Defense position. From there Black won 45% and drew 4%.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. e3 Nf6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bb5
Moves 1 to 2
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6
1. d4
The Queen's Pawn opening is more usually more positional in nature, White intends to develop the pieces while having a share of the center.
1... d5
Controlling the center and opening up the diagonal for the light-Squared bishop
2. c4
Immediately contesting the center. In most cases this is not a genuine gambit, since black can't retain the pawn without large concessions.
2... e6
Declining the Queen's Gambit and aiming for a solid setup, often leading to the Queen's Gambit Declined.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Nc3 c5 4. Nf3 Nc6
3. Nc3
Developing the knight to a central square, aiming to increase control over the center and potentially preparing for a pawn push to e4.
3... c5
Breaking in the center and opening up the game. Black is trying to neutralize White’s center pawns and develop afterwards.
4. Nf3
Developing the knight to f3 and supporting the center.
- 4. cxd5: Trading on d5 and relieving some of the tension in the center. This gives Black an isolated pawn.
- 4. e3: Supporting the center and protecting the c4 pawn with the light-squared bishop.
4... Nc6
Moves 5 to 7
5. e3 Nf6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bb5
5. e3
5... Nf6
6. cxd5
6... exd5
7. Bb5
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- Black typically castles kingside
- The pawn on b7 generally recaptures the bishop on c6
- The pawn on c5 usually captures the pawn on d4
- The dark-squared bishop often develops to d6
- The light-squared bishop can develop to d7 or g4
- A common pawn move is a6
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Queen's Gambit for White
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black