French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Morozevich Variation

French Defense: Tarrasch Variation

Definition

The Tarrasch Variation of the French Defense arises after the moves
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2.
By developing the knight to d2 instead of c3, White avoids the pin …Bb4 that characterizes the Winawer (3.Nc3 Bb4) and keeps options flexible for the central pawn structure.

Strategic Themes

• Central Tension: White often maintains the pawn duo on e4 & d4, aiming for either e4-e5 or c2-c4 to gain space.
• Piece Activity vs. Structure: Black usually accepts a slightly cramped position in return for the long-term target of a backward d4-pawn (after …c5 and exchanges).
• Key Set-ups for Black
  • 3…c5 – the Open System, immediately challenging d4.
  • 3…Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 – the Closed System, preparing …c5 later and pressuring e5.
  • 3…Be7 (or 3…h6) – a flexible line favoured by modern players.
• Typical Minority Attack: In many endgames the pawn structure resembles the Queen’s Gambit, allowing White to launch b2-b4-b5 against Black’s queenside majority.

Historical Significance

Named after German master Siegbert Tarrasch (1862-1934), the variation was a mainstay of his repertoire and later adopted by World Champions such as Boris Spassky and Anatoly Karpov when they wanted a solid yet ambitious answer to the French.

Representative Lines

Two of the most frequently encountered branches:

1. Open System
   1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Ngf3 Nc6 6.Bb5.
   Here White keeps pieces on the board and pressures the isolated d5-pawn after the inevitable …cxd4.
2. Closed (Main) System
   1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.c3 c5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Ne2.
   Both sides manoeuvre behind their pawn chains before the position explodes with …f6 or d4-dxc5.

Illustrative Mini-Game

The following short fragment shows typical ideas in the Closed System.

Black has already traded a central pawn for piece activity, while White’s king on f2 signals the sharp, double-edged nature of many Tarrasch battles.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The variation gained cult status in the 1960s when Spassky scored several sparkling wins, prompting Korchnoi to adopt it with Black to neutralize his own creation!
• World Champion Magnus Carlsen occasionally chooses 3.Nd2 when he wants a “low-theory” fight, notably defeating Fabiano Caruana (Wijk aan Zee 2015).
• ECO codes C03-C09 all belong to the Tarrasch family, making it one of the most extensively analysed branches of the French.

French Defense: Morozevich Variation

Definition

The Morozevich Variation is an aggressive sub-line of the Tarrasch where Black introduces an early pawn break …f6 to blast open the centre. A typical move-order is:
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ngf3 f6!?

Origins & Naming

Russian grandmaster Alexander Morozevich began using …f6 lines in the late 1990s, winning spectacular games against elite opposition. His unorthodox, dynamic style popularised the idea, which soon carried his name in opening manuals and databases (ECO code C07).

Strategic Objectives

• Immediate Counterplay: By challenging e5 at once, Black avoids long manoeuvring and aims for open lines where the slightly loose white king (often on e1 or f1) can be attacked.
• Risk-Reward Balance: Playing …f6 weakens the g7- and e6-squares. If White survives the tactics, a powerful kingside initiative can follow.
• Typical Sacrifices: …cxd4, …fxe5, and even …Ndxe5 or …Qb6 are common, sometimes giving up material for rapid development.

Critical Line

One of the sharpest continuations goes:

1. 7…f6 8.Bd3 cxd4 9.cxd4 Qb6 10.O-O Nxd4! 11.Nxd4 Qxd4+.
2. Black regains the piece with interest; the resulting positions are highly tactical and unclear, suiting fighting players.

Sample Game

Morozevich’s own encounter against GM Viktor Bologan (Wijk aan Zee 2002) is a model demonstration.

Black’s king eventually found safety on f7 while his rooks dominated the open files, leading to a decisive attack.

Practical Tips

• For Black: Know your tactics! Most lines demand concrete calculation rather than slow positional play.
• For White: Castle early, keep pieces coordinated, and be ready to return material to blunt the initiative.
• Move-order Nuances: The …f6 break can be prepared with …Be7, …Qb6, or even …g5 in certain side lines. Flexibility is part of the appeal.

Interesting Facts

• Morozevich once defeated Fritz 8 using his pet line in a 2002 man-vs-machine exhibition, bolstering the variation’s reputation for practical chances.
• Because of its double-edged nature, top players often use the variation when they must win with Black, for example in team competitions where board points matter more than safety.
• Some engines initially dislike 7…f6, but deeper analysis frequently shows approximate equality with best play—proof that computer evaluations do not always capture human practical potential.