French: Tarrasch, Open, 4.Ngf3 a6
French: Tarrasch
Definition
The French: Tarrasch (ECO codes C03–C09) is the variation of the French Defense that begins 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2. The move 3.Nd2 (instead of the more popular 3.Nc3 or 3.e5) was championed by the German world-class player and theoretician Siegbert Tarrasch, who sought to avoid the pin …Bb4 and to keep the position flexible.
Typical Move Order
Core tabiya:
- 1. e4 e6
- 2. d4 d5
- 3. Nd2 c5 (or 3…Nf6)
- 4. exd5 exd5
Black can choose among three main branches after 3.Nd2:
- 3…c5 – the Tarrasch Open System
- 3…Nf6 – the Rubinstein Variation
- 3…Be7 or 3…Bb4 – less common alternatives
Strategic Ideas
- White: Avoids the Winawer pin, supports e4–e5 push, and keeps a harmonious minor-piece setup (Nf3, Bd3, Ne2).
- Black: Strives for central counterplay with …c5 or piece pressure on the d- and e-files; sometimes doubles White’s pawns with …Bxc3.
- The resulting pawn structure often features an Isolated Queen’s Pawn (IQP) for one side, giving dynamic chances to both players.
Historical Significance
Tarrasch used this line as early as 1889. In the 1970s–80s, it received fresh life from grandmasters such as Anatoly Karpov and Ulf Andersson, whose positional style matched the variation’s strategic richness.
Illustrative Game
Adams – Short, London (Rapid) 1999
White exploited the IQP to generate kingside play and won a fine attacking game.
Anecdotes & Fun Facts
- Tarrasch reportedly told his students: “The minor piece must obey the pawn.” His 3.Nd2 embodies that philosophy—he wants the knight to support the pawn advance, not be pinned by a bishop.
- The line is popular among club players because it removes a large chunk of French theory (the scary Winawer) in a single move.
Related Concepts
Isolated Queen’s Pawn, Minority Attack, Rubinstein Variation.
Open
Definition
The word “Open” in chess can refer to three closely related but distinct ideas:
- Open Game – any opening that starts 1.e4 e5. (E.g., the Ruy Lopez or Italian Game.)
- Open Position – a middlegame with few pawns in the center and many open lines for pieces.
- Open File/Diagonal/Rank – a file, diagonal, or rank with no pawns on it, ideal for rooks, bishops, or queens, respectively.
Usage in Play
- “He excels in open positions”—meaning he maneuvers pieces well when lines are clear.
- “White won control of the open c-file”—White’s rook occupies a file without pawns, pressing into the seventh rank.
- “It is an Open Game; therefore development speed is critical.”
Strategic Significance
Open positions reward:
- Rapid development and activity.
- Piece coordination over pawn structure.
- Tactics based on pins, skewers, and forks along open lines.
Conversely, closed positions emphasize maneuvering behind locked pawn chains.
Classic Examples
Kasparov – Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999 featured a spectacular sacrificial king hunt made possible by an almost completely open board.
Interesting Facts
- The term “Open” also labels many tournaments (e.g., “Gibraltar Open”) where players of all ratings may enter, in contrast to invitational “closed” events.
- The most famous “open file” in chess lore is arguably the e-file in the Open Sicilian after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6, where both sides battle for Re1/Re8.
4.Ngf3 a6
Definition
4.Ngf3 a6 is a specific move sequence in the Modern Variation of the Alekhine’s Defense, also called the Alburt Variation. The opening begins 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Ngf3 a6.
Why 4…a6?
Grandmaster Leonid Alburt introduced 4…a6 in the late 1970s to:
- Prevent White’s minor pieces from landing on b5 (pinning the knight on d6 after a later Nc3).
- Prepare …b5 and eventual queenside expansion.
- Keep maximum flexibility before deciding on …Bg4, …g6, or …c6 setups.
Strategic Themes
- Black accepts a space disadvantage but aims at undermining White’s center later with …dxe5 or …c5.
- White usually plays 5.c4 to chase the knight again or 5.Bc4 followed by 6.O-O, keeping a broad pawn center.
- The early …a6 creates an asymmetrical battle reminiscent of the Najdorf Sicilian but with colors reversed.
Historical Notes
Alburt scored several upset wins against strong Soviet grandmasters with this line. The move was later adopted by players such as Vassily Ivanchuk and Vladimir Kramnik (in rapid/blitz).
Model Game
Alburt – Balashov, USSR Championship 1978 (Black in bold)
Alburt neutralized White’s center, then broke with …d5 and later …Bf6, ultimately winning a pawn in the endgame.
Anecdotes & Fun Facts
- Because the Alekhine was unpopular at top level for decades, IMs using 4…a6 often caught grandmasters by surprise in open tournaments.
- In blitz, Magnus Carlsen has experimented with 4…a6 online, showing its value as a practical weapon.
- The move …a6 on move four is one of the earliest outer-rank pawn moves in any major opening.
Related Concepts
Alekhine’s Defense, Space Advantage, Provocation Strategy.