French: Tarrasch Open (4.exd5 exd5 5.Ngf3 Nf6)

French Defense – Tarrasch Variation, Open System (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Ngf3 Nf6)

Definition

The line 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Ngf3 Nf6 is a branch of the French Defense that arises after White adopts the Tarrasch Variation (3.Nd2). By exchanging pawns in the center on move 4, both sides arrive at the so-called Open System, characterised by symmetrical pawn structures and rapid piece development. In current opening manuals it is catalogued under ECO codes C04–C07, depending on the exact move-order (C07 when Black replies 5…Nf6, as here).

Typical Move Order

1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. Nd2 c5
4. exd5 exd5
5. Ngf3 Nf6

Strategic Features

• Symmetrical centre: After the pawn exchange each side has pawns on d- and c-files (White: d4 & c2, Black: d5 & c5), so the struggle revolves around tempo, piece activity and minor-piece pressure rather than pawn majorities.
• Flexible pawn breaks: • White can aim for c2-c4 (isolated-queen-pawn positions), dxc5 (Queenside majority endgames) or even kingside expansion with g2-g3 & Bg2.
  • Black plans …Nc6, …Be7, …0-0 and later …Bg4 or …Re8, creating play against e- and d-files, or strives for the thematic French break …c5-c4.
• Piece activity over space: Unlike the Classical French (3.Nc3) or Advance French (3.e5), neither side is cramped; both bishops can be developed outside the pawn chain, giving the variation a semi-open character closer to 1.e4 e5 structures.

Historical Notes

• The Tarrasch Variation is named after Dr Siegbert Tarrasch, who championed 3.Nd2 at the end of the 19^th century as an antidote to the French bind created by 3.Nc3 Bb4.
• The exact Open System with 4.exd5 dates back to the 1920s; it gained theoretical significance when Alexander Alekhine scored several wins with it in the 1930s.
• Modern grandmasters such as Michael Adams, Peter Leko and Magnus Carlsen still wheel it out when they desire a solid yet non-forced fight.

Illustrative Game

The following classic shows both sides’ typical plans:

[[Pgn| 1.e4|e6|2.d4|d5|3.Nd2|c5|4.exd5|exd5|5.Ngf3|Nf6|6.Bb5+|Bd7|7.Bxd7+|Nbxd7|8.O-O|Be7|9.dxc5|Nxc5|10.Nb3|Nce4|11.Be3|O-O|12.Qd3|Re8|13.Rad1|Qc7|14.c3|a5|15.Nbd4|Rad8|16.Nf5|Bf8|17.Rfe1|h6|18.Bd4|g6|19.Ng3|Bg7|20.Nd2|Nxd2|21.Qxd2|Ne4|22.Qd3|Nxg3|23.hxg3|Rxe1+|24.Rxe1|Qd7|25.Bxg7|Kxg7|26.Qd4+|Kg8|27.Re5|Qc6|28.Qe3|Kg7|29.Re7|b6|30.Qd4+|Kg8|31.Qf4|Rf8|32.Qxh6|a4|33.a3|Qc5|34.Qe3|Rd8|35.Re8+|Rxe8|36.Qxc5|bxc5|37.Kf1|Rb8|38.Re2|d4|39.cxd4|cxd4|40.Ke1|d3|41.Rd2|Rb3|42.Kd1|Kg7|43.Kc1|Kf6|44.Rd1|Ke5|45.Re1+|Kd5|46.Re8|Rb6|47.Rd8+|Kc4|48.Rd7|f5|49.Rc7+|Kb3|50.Rd7|Rc6|1-0 |fen|| ]]

Notice how:

• White used 6.Bb5+ & 9.dxc5 to simplify and aim for a small, lasting end-game pull.
• Black generated counterplay with …Nce4 and pressure on the semi-open e-file.

Typical Plans & Motifs

• White
  • Develop harmoniously: Bf1-b5 or Bf1-e2, 0-0, Re1, c2-c4 break.
  • Target Black’s d-pawn after dxc5 or pressure the c-file via Rc1.
  • Occasional fianchetto with g3, Bg2 to bolster d4 and control the long diagonal.
• Black
  • Break with …c5-c4 to gain space or exchange the isolated pawn.
  • Pressure e4 if White ever advances it, using …Re8 and …Bg4.
  • Piece activity: Knights often manoeuvre Nb8-c6-e7-f5; bishops go to d6 and e6.

Famous Practitioners

• Alexander Alekhine – used it to outplay Max Euwe (Zurich 1934).
• Paul Keres – frequent advocate during the 1940s & 50s.
• Magnus Carlsen – employed the line as Black vs. Levon Aronian, Gjøvik 2008.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Siegbert Tarrasch claimed 3.Nd2 renders the French harmless, a view vigorously disputed by fellow theoretician Aron Nimzowitsch, sparking one of the earliest public “opening theory feuds.”
• Because both sides can castle quickly and the centre is fluid, this system is a popular choice in correspondence and engine games, where deep strategic plans trump sharp concrete tactics.
• Database statistics show the line scores almost dead-even: demonstrates that at all rating levels the win-rate remains within 2 % of 33-34-33 (White wins : Draws : Black wins), underscoring its reputation for objective balance.

Further Study

For an in-depth treatment consult chapters on ECO C04-C07 in French Defense: The Solid French by Viktor Korchnoi, or watch GM Simon Williams’ video series devoted to the Tarrasch Open. Practice the resulting middlegames against engines set to fixed depth 20 to appreciate the subtleties of symmetrical play.