French Defense: Tarrasch Open, 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Ngf3 6.Bc4
French Defense: Tarrasch, Open Variation (4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4)
Definition
The line beginning 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 (the Tarrasch Variation) 3…Nf6 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4 is called the French Defense, Tarrasch Variation, Open System. After White exchanges on d5 on move 4, the position “opens” earlier than in most French structures, giving rise to the name “Open Variation.” The key tabiya appears after 6.Bc4, when White develops with tempo against Black’s queen on d5.
Move-by-Move Breakdown
- 1.e4 e6 – The French Defense.
- 2.d4 d5 – Black stakes a claim in the center.
- 3.Nd2 – Tarrasch’s pet move. The knight supports e4 without blocking the c-pawn.
- 3…Nf6 – The most direct reply, attacking e4.
- 4.exd5 – White chooses the Open System, immediately clarifying the pawn structure.
- 4…Qxd5 – Black recaptures with the queen, inviting later tempo-gainers.
- 5.Ngf3 – White hits the queen and brings another piece into play.
- 5…cxd4 – Black removes White’s center pawn and opens the c-file.
- 6.Bc4 – The cornerstone of the variation; the bishop comes to life, again challenging the queen.
Strategic Themes
- Piece Activity vs. Structure: White seeks rapid development and active piece placement. Black accepts a small lead in development for a generally healthier pawn structure (no isolated d-pawn compared with the 4…exd5 line).
- Queen Maneuvers: Black’s early …Qxd5 saves a tempo compared to …exd5, but the queen can become a target. Common retreats include 6…Qd8, 6…Qa5+, and 6…Qxc4 (the latter grabs a pawn but concedes time).
- Central Tension Removed: With the e- and d-pawns exchanged, typical French pawn chains (e6-d5-c5) never arise. This changes many traditional French plans, such as the …c5 break; instead Black often strives for …Nc6, …Be7, and castling quickly.
- King Safety: Both sides usually castle kingside, but White sometimes delays castling to increase pressure with Re1, Nb3, or even 0-0-0 in rare cases.
Typical Plans
- For White
- Rapid development: Bc4, 0-0, Re1, Qe2, Nb3.
- Pressure on e6 and the a2–g8 diagonal.
- Minor-piece initiative: trade Black’s bad light-square bishop or coax weaknesses with Bg5/Bxf6.
- For Black
- Solid set-up: …Be7, …0-0, …Nc6 or …Nbd7, followed by central counterplay with …e5 or …b6 and …Bb7.
- Queen relocation: …Qd8 is safest; …Qa5+ keeps active chances; …Qe4+ is an off-beat try.
Historical & Practical Significance
The Tarrasch Variation (3.Nd2) owes its name to Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch, who championed it at the end of the 19th century, believing in “the open game is the right way to punish the French Defense.”
- Bobby Fischer employed the Open System in several U.S. Championship games (notably vs. Robert Byrne, 1963), praising the line’s clarity.
- World-championship use: Anatoly Karpov wielded the variation in the 1981 World Championship match versus Viktor Korchnoi, scoring a quick win in game 10.
- Modern practice: Magnus Carlsen has revived the line occasionally in blitz/rapid, e.g., Carlsen – Mamedyarov, Tal Memorial Blitz 2013.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The following short encounter shows typical ideas:
White’s pieces swarm the board while Black’s queen shuffles; after 13.Qxd6 White regains the pawn with a pleasant initiative.
Famous Game Reference
Karpov – Korchnoi, World Championship 1981 (Game 10) Karpov followed the main line with 6.Bc4 Qe4+ 7.Be2 Nc6 8.O-O and gradually out-maneuvered his opponent, illustrating how persistent pressure on e6 can pay dividends.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The move 6.Bc4 appears to violate the classical principle “do not move the same piece twice in the opening,” yet because it hits the queen it actually gains a tempo.
- In some sub-variations, Black gambits the c-pawn with 6…Qxc4!? aiming for piece activity; engines often evaluate the position as roughly equal despite the material imbalance.
- Because both sides have half-open c- and e-files early, the variation is a favorite training ground for tactics in many chess schools—students learn the value of tempo and initiative.
Sample Repertoire Choices
- Against 6…Qd8: White can play 7.O-O Nc6 8.Nb3 Nf6 9.Qe2 with a small space advantage.
- Against 6…Qa5+: 7.c3 Nc6 8.O-O Nf6 9.Qe2 keeps the queen side shielded.
- Against 6…Nc6 (before retreating the queen): Tactical lines with 7.O-O Nf6 8.Bxd5 Nxd5 9.Nb3! give White pressure for the bishop pair.
Why Study This Line?
- Teaches tempo-gaining piece play against an early developed queen.
- Offers an alternative to heavily analyzed closed French structures.
- Suitable for players who enjoy straightforward piece coordination and clear plans.
Further Exploration
• Look up the classic text “French Defense: Tarrasch Variation” by Lev Psakhis for an in-depth treatise.
• Use a database to examine modern GM practice in the sub-line 6…Qd8 7.O-O a6, a fashionable way for Black to sidestep theory.