French Defense: Tarrasch Variation (3...Be7 4.Ngf3 Nf6)
French Defense – Tarrasch Variation, 3…Be7 4.Ngf3 Nf6
Definition
The position reached after the moves
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7 4.Ngf3 Nf6
is a branch of the French Defense known as the
Tarrasch Variation with the Rubinstein (3…Be7) set-up. In shorthand
it is often written in databases as French: Tarrasch, 3…Be7 4.Ngf3 Nf6.
Black defers the usual …Nf6 (or …c5) in favor of a flexible bishop
development, keeping options open in the center and aiming for rapid
kingside castling.
Typical Move Order
The canonical sequence is:
- e4 e6
- d4 d5
- Nd2 Be7
- Ngf3 Nf6
From here, the most common continuation is 5.e5 Nfd7 6.Bd3 c5, reaching typical French pawn structures.
Strategic Ideas
-
Black’s flexibility. By placing the bishop on e7 instead of
the classical French square d7, Black:
- avoids early exchanges on g5 (since the bishop does not block the queen),
- keeps the c8–bishop’s diagonal clear until its future is decided,
- retains the option to strike with …c5 or …f6 depending on White’s setup.
- White’s space advantage. After 5.e5 White grabs space, restricts the f6-knight, and plans central pressure with c3, Bd3, Qe2, and 0-0.
- Delayed tension. Because …c5 and …Nf6 come slightly later than in the main 3…Nf6 lines, the position remains fluid, giving both sides room for maneuvering.
Plans & Motifs
- For White
- Advance pawn majority on the kingside (f4–f5, g4) in some lines.
- Mount central pressure with c3–d4 chain supported by pieces on f3, d2, and e2.
- Exploit the d6 hole if Black exchanges on e5 or plays …c4 too early.
- For Black
- Break with …c5, occasionally followed by …cxd4 and …Nc6, to attack White’s center.
- Re-route the f6-knight via d7–b6 or g4 to provoke weaknesses.
- Seek an eventual …f6 pawn break to undermine e5.
Historical Background
The move 3.Nd2 was popularized by Siegbert Tarrasch, while the quieter 3…Be7 was later refined by Akiba Rubinstein (hence sometimes called the Rubinstein Variation within the Tarrasch). In the 1970-80s, World Champion Anatoly Karpov adopted this system as one of his most reliable weapons with Black, influencing a generation of French players including Ulf Andersson and, later, Fabiano Caruana as Black in elite events.
Example Game
A modern illustration is
Fabiano Caruana – Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Wijk aan Zee 2016:
Black’s unhurried deployment eventually enabled the thematic …c5 and …f5 breaks, leading to dynamic play on both wings.
Notable Facts & Anecdotes
- The line is considered sound but elastic; engines often give a tiny plus for White, yet practical results at master level are near 50-50.
- In the 1974 Candidates Final (Karpov – Korchnoi) the 3…Be7 setup appeared three times. Karpov drew all of them comfortably as Black, helping him qualify to challenge Fischer.
- Because the Be7 bishop may later drop back to f8 (after …b6 and …Ba6), grandmasters jokingly call it the “boomerang bishop.”
- A common trap: 5.e5 Nfd7 6.Bd3 c5 7.c3 Nc6 8.O-O cxd4 9.cxd4 Qb6? looks active but loses a piece to 10.Nb3 because the b4 and c5 squares are simultaneously hit.