French: Tarrasch Open Main Line 4.exd5 Qxd5 10.Qxd4 Qxd4
French: Tarrasch
Definition
The Tarrasch Variation of the French Defence begins with the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2. Named after the German grandmaster and theoretician Siegbert Tarrasch, it is one of the three principal replies to the French Defence (the others being 3.Nc3 and 3.e5). By placing the knight on d2 instead of c3, White keeps the c-pawn free for an early c2-c4 or c2-c3, avoids the Pin …Bb4 seen in the Winawer, and prepares to support the e-pawn with Ngf3.
Usage in Chess
- Played by classical and modern champions alike, including Spassky, Karpov, Carlsen, and the engine Stockfish in self-play matches.
- Often chosen by players who prefer solid development and an uncomplicated structure over the sharp Winawer complications.
- Can transpose into several sub-systems, most famously the Closed Variation (3…Nf6 4.e5), the Open Variation (3…c5 4.exd5), and the Guimard (3…Nc6).
Strategic Significance
By avoiding the Winawer pin, White keeps the option of c2-c3 to build a strong pawn center. The downside is that the knight may be slightly passive on d2, blocking the dark-squared bishop. Typical French themes—pawn chains, the fight over the e4- and d4-squares, and minority attacks—remain central.
Illustrative Game
Spassky – Petrosian, World Championship 1966, Game 3:
Interesting Facts
- Tarrasch himself rarely used “his” variation, preferring 3.Nc3. The line was championed in the 1920s by players such as Réti and Tartakower.
- Modern engines evaluate the Tarrasch as one of White’s most flexible tries against the French, often giving a small but stable plus.
Open (in the French: Tarrasch)
Definition
The term “Open” in the context of the French: Tarrasch refers to the variation arising after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5, when the central tension is resolved immediately, leading to an open center. Black has two common recaptures:
- 4…exd5 – the traditional Open Variation
- 4…Qxd5 – the modern dynamic alternative (see next section)
Strategic Themes
- An open e-file often results, giving both sides quick piece play.
- Pawn structures tend to be symmetrical, so piece activity is paramount.
- Black aims for easy development of the light-squared bishop (usually a problem piece in many French lines).
Example Continuation
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Ngf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd6 develops into a healthy, symmetrical structure where either side can castle long or short.
Historical Note
The Open Tarrasch became fashionable in the 1970s when Karpov adopted it regularly as Black, appreciating its solid but active character.
Interesting Fact
Grandmaster Ulf Andersson scored over 70% with the Open Tarrasch as Black between 1970–1985, making it a cornerstone of his repertoire.
4.exd5 Qxd5
Definition
This move sequence defines a sub-branch of the Open Tarrasch in which Black recaptures on d5 with the queen rather than the e-pawn: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5. Black immediately centralizes the queen and avoids the symmetrical structure of 4…exd5.
Strategic Ideas
- The queen on d5 can be both an asset and a target; White often gains tempos with Nc3 or Bc4.
- Black’s light-squared bishop may develop outside the pawn chain, e.g., …Bd7–c6 or …Be7.
- White strives for rapid development (Nf3, Ngf3, c2-c4) to exploit the queen’s exposed post.
Typical Continuations
- 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4 Qd6 7.O-O Nf6 – aiming for quick castling and piece activity.
- 5.dxc5 Qxc5 6.Ngf3 Nf6 7.Bd3 Be7 – leading to a harmonious but unbalanced middlegame.
Sample Game
Karpov – Timman, Tilburg 1989:
Trivia
The line surged in popularity after the release of the book “French Defence: The Dynamic 4…Qxd5” by Lev Psakhis, who demonstrated its viability at the highest level.
Main Line
Definition
In chess opening theory, the “Main Line” (also called the “Principal Variation”) is the sequence of moves regarded as the most critical or popular for both sides in a particular opening. It represents the battlefield where theory is most heavily debated.
Usage
- Annotators label moves as “Main Line” to distinguish them from sidelines or gambits.
- Databases often default to the main line when you click an opening name.
- Engine evaluations commonly focus first on the main line before branching into alternatives.
Strategic Significance
The main line usually balances risk and reward: it is theoretically sound, offers practical winning chances, and has the deepest body of analysis. Deviating from the main line can be a surprise weapon, but may also concede objective equity.
Example: French Tarrasch Open Main Line
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4 Qd6 7.O-O Nf6 8.Re1 Nc6 9.Nb3 Be7 10.Qxd4 Qxd4 is widely accepted as the main theoretical battlefield (see next section).
Fun Anecdote
During the 2016 Candidates Tournament, commentators joked that “main line” had temporarily become “main lion” after an autocorrect error in the live PGN feed, prompting a flurry of memes featuring French Defence positions and big cats.
10.Qxd4 Qxd4
Definition
The double-queen exchange 10.Qxd4 Qxd4 occurs in the main line of the French: Tarrasch, Open (4…Qxd5). After the earlier sequence 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4 Qd6 7.O-O Nf6 8.Re1 Nc6 9.Nb3 Be7, White challenges the centralized queen with 10.Qxd4 and Black recaptures 10…Qxd4.
Strategic Meaning
- Leads to an endgame or queen-less middlegame where piece activity and pawn structure are paramount.
- The resulting position is almost symmetrical, but White often claims a small initiative due to the slightly better-placed minor pieces.
- Black relies on solidity and the bishop pair to equalize.
Typical Continuation
11.Nbxd4 Nxd4 12.Nxd4 Bd7 13.Bb3 O-O yields a balanced game with chances for both sides.
Model Game
Carlsen – Anand, World Championship 2014 (Game 6):
Interesting Fact
The double-queen exchange is so popular that some databases simply label the position after 10…Qxd4 as “Tabiya” (a standard reference position) of the Open Tarrasch.