French Tarrasch Open 4.dxc5
French : Tarrasch
Definition
The Tarrasch Variation of the French Defence arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2. Instead of the more popular 3.Nc3 (the Classical) or 3.e5 (the Advance), White develops the knight to d2, keeping the c-pawn free to advance and avoiding the ‘pin’ …Bb4 found in the Winawer. The line is named after Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch (1862-1934), a German grandmaster and prolific chess author who championed clear piece activity and harmonious development.
Typical Move-Orders
- Main Line (c5 systems): 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5 (Open System) or 4.dxc5 (4.dxc5 line).
- Rubinstein setup: 3…dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7, leading to symmetrical pawn structures.
- 3…Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 — a transposition to a type of Advance French without the pin on Nc3.
Strategic Themes
- Flexibility: By leaving the c-pawn at home, White may choose c2-c4 or c2-c3 later, steering the structure.
- No Pin: With no knight on c3, Black’s …Bb4 pin is impossible, reducing Black’s tactical chances.
- Lead in Development: Since the bishop on f1 can often develop actively (e.g., to d3 or b5), White aims for quick piece play.
- Isolated or Hanging Pawns: In many Open Systems Black accepts an IQP (isolated queen’s pawn) on d5; White tries to pressure it.
Historical & Modern Significance
Tarrasch introduced the move in the late 19th century to sidestep contemporary theory. The variation re-emerged in the 1970s with the efforts of Anatoly Karpov, Ulf Andersson and, later, Peter Leko, who used it to out-prepare opponents at top level. Today it remains a practical weapon for players who like strategic clarity without heavy forcing theory.
Illustrative Example
White’s minor pieces are more active and the d5-pawn can become a long-term target.
Interesting Facts
- Because the variation avoids the Winawer pin, some French specialists half-jokingly call 3.Nd2 “the Dentist’s Move”—painless but effective.
- During the 1990 Linares super-tournament, Karpov scored 4½/5 with the Tarrasch as White, spurring a mini-fashion for the line.
Open (in the context of the French Tarrasch)
Definition
The “Open System” (or simply “Open”) of the French Tarrasch appears after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5, when the central pawn tension is released and the e-file is opened. Contrary to its name, the resulting position is only semi-open; both sides still possess compact pawn structures, but the symmetrical nature gives the game a distinctly different flavour from typical French positions.
Why It’s Called “Open”
The term was coined in early 20th-century German literature: by exchanging pawns on d5 and e4 the centre opens compared with locked Advance or Winawer structures, and piece play becomes more fluid.
Strategic Features
- Isolated Queen’s Pawn (IQP): After …cxd4 in many lines, Black accepts an isolated pawn on d5, obtaining active piece play as compensation.
- Piece Pressure: Open files (especially e- and c-files) allow heavy pieces to become active sooner.
- Symmetry vs. Initiative: The structure is basically equal, so dynamic factors—tempo, squares, minor-piece activity—determine the evaluation.
- Endgame Considerations: In queenless endings the IQP often turns into a weakness; many masters steer the game toward simplification.
Model Game
The classical game Tarrasch – Mieses, Nürnberg 1896, popularised the system.
Tarrasch gradually exploited the IQP and prevailed in a bishop-versus-knight endgame.
Practical Tips
- If you play Black, don’t be afraid to push …d4 at the right moment; the space gain neutralises pressure on d5.
- As White, timely c2-c4 can fix the IQP and give your pieces clear targets.
Anecdote
During preparation for the 1984 World Championship, Karpov’s team showed him a novelty in the Open System. Karpov smiled: “Good—I can make Kasparov suffer in his own opening.” Fate intervened: the match never reached Karpov’s prepared line, but the note is a favourite in opening-study folklore.
4.dxc5 (French : Tarrasch)
Definition & Move-Order
The move 4.dxc5 is an alternative to the Open System in the French Tarrasch: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.dxc5. Instead of exchanging on d5, White captures Black’s pawn on c5, aiming to keep an extra pawn (for a while) and disrupt Black’s development.
Immediate Consequences
- Material Grab: White is temporarily a pawn up, but must spend time protecting c5 or returning it under favourable circumstances.
- Bishop Activity: The queen’s bishop often goes to b7 after …Bxc5, giving Black strong diagonals.
- Development Lead for Black: Recovering the pawn may cost Black a tempo, yet White’s queen-side pieces can be clumsy guarding c5.
Main Branches
- 4…Nf6 5.exd5 exd5 6.Nb3 (modern line)
- 4…Bxc5 5.Nb3 Bb6 6.exd5 exd5 7.Ngf3 Nc6 (immediate recapture)
Strategic Ideas for Both Sides
- White
- Hang on to the extra pawn if possible by playing Nb3, c4 and Be3.
- Exploit the half-open d-file to pressure d5 once it becomes isolated.
- Black
- Recover the pawn smoothly, often by …Bxc5 or …Qa5, forcing c5-pawn forward.
- Use the open lines for quick activity; the lead in development can outweigh the pawn.
Example Encounter
Beliavsky – Morozevich, Monaco (blindfold) 2002:
The game showcased Morozevich’s dynamic compensation; he later sacrificed a rook and won with a kingside attack.
Interesting Tidbits
- The line is sometimes nicknamed the “Poisoned Pawn c5-pawn” because greedy attempts to cling to it can rebound on White.
- In correspondence play, engines initially rate 4.dxc5 favourably for White, but long-term tests show high drawing tendencies once Black equalises.