French: Tarrasch, Guimard, Main Line, 6.Nb3 Be7
French Defence: Tarrasch Variation
Definition
The Tarrasch Variation of the French Defence arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2. By choosing 3.Nd2 (instead of the more common 3.Nc3), White keeps lines of development flexible and avoids the potential pin ...Bb4 that follows 3.Nc3.
Typical Usage
- Played by positional players who prefer a solid centre with fewer theoretical forcing lines.
- Employed as an anti-French weapon when a player wants to sidestep heavily analysed Winawer and Classical branches.
- Often leads to one of three Black replies: 3…c5 (Open System), 3…Nf6 (Rubinstein), or 3…Nc6 (Guimard).
Strategic Significance
Compared to 3.Nc3, the knight on d2 supports e4–e5, reinforces f3, and preserves the c-pawn for possible c2–c4 breaks. However, it blocks White's dark-squared bishop and sometimes hampers natural development. Black gains chances to undermine White’s centre immediately with either …c5 or …f6.
Historical Notes
Named after German grandmaster and theoretician Siegbert Tarrasch, who championed the line at the end of the 19th century. Although Tarrasch himself often favoured open games, he believed the variation offered “healthy development” without allowing Black easy counterplay.
Illustrative Example
In this Rubinstein sub-line, both sides obtain asymmetrical pawn structures where piece activity is critical.
Interesting Facts
- Former World Champions Anatoly Karpov and Vladimir Kramnik successfully employed 3.Nd2 as part of their French repertoire with White.
- The variation is statistically one of White’s best-scoring systems against the French at club level thanks to its relative simplicity.
Guimard Variation
Definition
The Guimard is a specific branch of the Tarrasch Variation that begins 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6. Black immediately develops the queen’s knight, aiming for fast piece play rather than the structural counterattacks of …c5 or …Nf6.
Why It’s Played
- Avoids massive theory of the Rubinstein and minimises the danger of sharp isolani positions after …c5.
- Creates rapid pressure on d4 and e5 squares, sometimes following up with …Nf6 and …Ne4.
- Is a practical choice since many White players know fewer forcing lines here.
Strategic Ideas
- Black often transfers the knight from c6 to e7 or even f5 later, depending on the pawn structure.
- White strives for the space-gaining advance e4–e5, after which Black’s knight normally heads to e7 (Rubinstein-style) or e4 (the main Guimard plan).
- Pawn breaks …f6 or …c5 remain on the agenda to undermine White’s centre.
Historical Background
It is named after Henri Guimard, a French master active in the early 20th century who analysed and popularised the line. The variation became fashionable in the 1970s thanks to Argentine GMs Oscar Panno and Miguel Quinteros.
Key Game
Kasparov vs. Piket, Tilburg 1997 saw the World Champion adopt the Guimard with Black and equalise comfortably before outplaying his opponent in a rook ending.
Fun Anecdote
Because the line was relatively obscure during World War II, Soviet team members jokingly called it “the clandestine Frenchman” whenever it appeared in training games, claiming it spied on established theory.
Main Line (Guimard Tarrasch)
Definition
Within the Guimard, the sequence 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6 4. Ngf3 Nf6 5. e5 Ne4 constitutes the Main Line. Both sides follow classical development principles and reach a critical crossroads at move 6, where White must decide how to dislodge the well-posted knight on e4.
Strategic Features
- Black’s knight on e4 obstructs White’s e-pawn and eyes the c3 and f2 squares.
- White enjoys more space but must prove that the e4-knight can be harassed without concessions.
- The struggle revolves around control of d5 and timing of …f6/c5 breaks.
Critical Branches After 5…Ne4
- 6. Bd3 – Pins the knight and prepares c2–c3; an older, slightly passive attempt.
- 6. c3 – Directly undermines e4 but weakens d3 and invites …f6.
- 6. Nb3 – The modern main choice, sidestepping exchanges and keeping the knight poised for c5 control.
Illustrative Continuation
This theoretical line shows how tension in the centre often leads to dynamic play on both wings.
Interesting Tidbit
In his notes to Informant 50, GM Boris Gelfand praised the Main Line’s “latent tactical venom,” remarking that “a single move order imprecision by either side is enough to flip the evaluation.”
6.Nb3 Be7
Definition & Move Order
This exact position arises from the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6 4. Ngf3 Nf6 5. e5 Ne4 6. Nb3 Be7. After driving the e4-knight back to d6 or g5 would waste time, Black calmly develops with 6…Be7, maintaining the knight’s aggressive post while preparing to castle.
Strategic Ideas for Black
- Flexibility: …Be7 keeps the option of placing the bishop on d6 after castling if pressure on e5 is desirable.
- King Safety: By prioritising development, Black eliminates tactical threats based on an exposed king.
- Central Tension: The e4-knight stays put, tying White pieces to its eventual eviction. Breaks with …f6 or …c5 are retained.
Plans for White
- Exchange on e4 at a favourable moment (e.g., 7. Bd3 f5 8. exf6 Bxf6).
- Undermine with c2–c3 followed by Bf4, attempting to prove the knight is over-extended.
- Queenside expansion with a2–a4–a5 to fix b7-b6 and clamp the light squares.
Theoretical Evaluation
The position is considered dynamically balanced. Engines hover around 0.10–0.25 for White, indicating slight space advantage countered by Black’s active piece placement.
Practical Example
Shirov vs. Ivanchuk, Linares 1995
Ivanchuk demonstrated the viability of …Be7 followed by …f5, obtaining counterplay on the king side and eventually drawing a complex ending.
Trivia
Some early databases mis-labelled 6…Be7 as “Guimard–Gambit Deferred,” causing confusion until the 2000s when ECO codes were refined.