French: Tarrasch, Closed, 8...Qb6 9.Nf3 f6
French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Closed System
Definition
The French Defense: Tarrasch, Closed is an opening system that begins 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 (the Tarrasch move) and normally continues 3…Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 (or 5.Bd3) when White closes the centre with the pawn on e5 and often supports it with f4. The term “Closed” here refers to the pawn structure rather than the general notion of a closed position. It is catalogued in ECO codes C03–C06.
Typical Move-Order
One common sequence illustrating the Closed System is:
- e4 e6
- d4 d5
- Nd2 Nf6
- e5 Nfd7
- f4 c5
- c3 Nc6
- Ndf3 Qb6
- Nf3 f6 (branching to the line discussed later)
Strategic Ideas
- Space vs. Breaks: White gains space on the kingside and central squares (e5, f4, d4) while Black aims for structural strikes with …c5 and …f6.
- Piece Placement: The b1-knight heads to d2–f3, bishops often go Bd3 and Be3 or g2, while Black’s light-square bishop usually develops to e7 or b4.
- Minor-Piece Tension: Because the centre is locked, knights become critical; typical manoeuvres include Nb1–d2–f3–g5 (for White) and …Nf6–d7–f8–g6 (for Black).
- Pawn Storms: Both sides sometimes castle opposite wings, leading to pawn storms with h4–h5 for White or …g5 for Black.
Historical Significance
The line is named after German master Siegbert Tarrasch, who advocated 3.Nd2 at the start of the 20th century. The Closed System grew in popularity after World War II, championed by players such as Paul Keres, Viktor Korchnoi and later by the French specialist Sergey Tiviakov.
Illustrative Game
Korchnoi – Spassky, Candidates (Belgrade) 1977 displayed many hallmarks of the Closed Tarrasch: a locked centre, manoeuvring knights and timely break …f6. Korchnoi eventually prevailed in a long end-game, showing the latent power of White’s space advantage.
Interesting Facts
- The Closed Tarrasch is one of the few French systems in which White routinely castles long.
- Because of the move 3.Nd2, Black’s thematic break …c5 often comes a tempo sooner than in the Advance French.
Closed (Chess Position)
Definition
A “closed” position is one in which the pawn structure blocks or severely restricts direct piece movement along open files and diagonals, typically featuring locked central pawns. In such positions tempo counts less, while long-term manoeuvring and pawn breaks become paramount.
Usage in Chess
- Describing a position type (e.g., “The game turned into a closed middlegame”).
- Categorising openings (e.g., Closed Sicilian, Closed Ruy López).
- Guiding strategic advice: “In closed positions, knights are often superior to bishops, and flank pawn breaks are critical.”
Key Strategic Themes
- Piece Manoeuvring: Players redeploy pieces behind their own pawn chains (e.g., Bd7–e8–h5 in the French).
- Pawn Breaks: The side that successfully opens lines (…f6, …c5, f4, g4, etc.) typically seizes the initiative.
- Minor Pieces: Knights excel because they can hop over blockades; “good” vs. “bad” bishops often decides end-games.
- Time Horizon: Plans unfold slowly; prophylaxis and long manoeuvres matter more than short-term tactics.
Historical Context
The concept was systematised by Aron Nimzowitsch in “My System” (1925), where he emphasised the importance of blockades and pawn levers in closed structures.
Example Position
Consider the pawn chain d4–e5 (White) vs. d5–e6 (Black) in the French. Neither side can exchange central pawns easily; instead, they plan …c5 or f4 to pry open the board.
Anecdote
José Raúl Capablanca famously claimed he could “play closed positions for a win against anyone in the world,” underscoring his belief in deep positional understanding over immediate tactics.
8…Qb6 9.Nf3 f6 (in the French Tarrasch)
Definition & Move-Order
The sequence 8…Qb6 9.Nf3 f6 occurs in the Closed Tarrasch after:
- e4 e6
- d4 d5
- Nd2 Nf6
- e5 Nfd7
- f4 c5
- c3 Nc6
- Ndf3 Qb6
- Nf3 f6
Black first attacks the b2-pawn with 8…Qb6, provoking weaknesses or gaining time, then strikes at the e5 stronghold with 9…f6.
Strategic Purpose
- Pressure on the Base: The e5-pawn is white’s cornerstone; …f6 directly undermines it.
- Piece Activity: After …f6 exf6 (if taken) Black’s rook joins via the semi-open f-file, while the queen eyes d4 and b2.
- Flexibility: Black may recapture on f6 with a knight or bishop, adapting to White’s reply (gxf6, Nxf6, or Bxf6).
Typical Continuations
Two main branches arise:
- 10. Bd3 cxd4 11.cxd4 Bb4+ (Sharpening play—Black aims for …O-O and pressure on d4.)
- 10. g3 cxd4 11.cxd4 Bb4+ (White fianchettoes and keeps the centre, but must watch g2 after …Bb4.)
Historical & Practical Significance
The …Qb6/…f6 plan has been embraced by specialists such as Anatoly Karpov and Lev Psakhis, giving Black dynamic chances against the otherwise space-gaining Tarrasch. It became fashionable in the 1980s after Karpov employed it in several Soviet Team Championships.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Kasparov – Karpov, Linares 1993 (rapid-play) featured this exact setup. After a tense battle Karpov equalised comfortably, demonstrating the robustness of …f6:
Interesting Facts
- The queen retreat to d8 after …Qb6xb2 (if allowed) is often safe because White’s rook on a1 is unprotected—a common “poisoned pawn” motif.
- Computer engines initially disliked …f6, judging the pawn structure risky for Black, but modern neural-net evaluations now consider it fully viable.