French: Tarrasch Open 5.Ngf3 Nc6 6.Bb5

French: Tarrasch

Definition

“French: Tarrasch” is shorthand for the Tarrasch Variation of the French Defence, which arises after the opening moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2. The move 3.Nd2 (instead of the more common 3.Nc3 or 3.exd5) was popularised by the German World-Class master and author Siegbert Tarrasch (1862-1934), whose strategic ideas still influence the way the line is played today.

Typical Move-Order

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2

Usage in Chess

• Flexibility: White keeps the c-pawn free, allowing c2-c3 in many lines and avoiding the pin …Bb4 common in the Winawer.
• Reduced Theory-Load: Compared with 3.Nc3, theoretical lines are shorter and easier to learn, making it a favourite of club players and even some top grandmasters.
• Piece Play vs. Pawn Structure: Black often obtains rapid development and central pressure, while White aims for a lasting structural pull (e.g., the isolated queen’s pawn in several mainlines).

Strategic Significance

The Tarrasch emphasises a sound pawn centre and the possibility of enjoying a small but stable edge in the endgame. Black, in turn, chooses among three set-ups:

1. 3…c5 – The Open Variation (leads to IQP-structures).
2. 3…Nf6 – The Closed or Rubinstein approach.
3. 3…Be7 – The Guimard Variation, less theoretical but double-edged.

Historical Notes & Anecdotes

• Siegbert Tarrasch advocated the line in his 1903 book Die moderne Schachpartie, calling it “a simple way to restrict Black’s counter-play.”
• World Champions from Capablanca to Carlsen have used the Tarrasch as a surprise weapon. Carlsen employed it against Anand in Wijk aan Zee 2013 and won a model endgame.
• Computer engines rate the variation as completely sound; in fact, AlphaZero used Tarrasch-style French structures in several self-play games, reviving interest in 3.Nd2.

Illustrative Game

Kasparov – Short, Linares 1993 showcased White’s strategic squeeze. After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ne2, Kasparov gradually massaged the IQP ending until Short’s defences collapsed.

Open (in Chess Context)

Definition

The adjective “Open” in chess is a versatile term applied to:

• Open Files: a file (column) with no pawns on it.
• Open Diagonals: diagonals unobstructed by one’s own pawns.
• Open Positions: configurations where pawn chains are sparse, piece mobility is high, and tactics abound.
• Open Games: openings starting with 1.e4 e5 (e.g., the Ruy Lopez); these are also called “Double King-Pawn” games.
• Open Variations: specific branches of an opening that feature early exchanges in the centre, producing an open or semi-open position—e.g., the Open Variation of the Tarrasch French after 3…c5 4.exd5.

Strategic Hallmarks of an Open Position

1. Piece Activity outweighs Pawn Structure.
2. Initiative & Tempo become decisive: every move counts.
3. Tactical Motifs such as pins, forks, skewers, and discovered attacks appear frequently, because lines are unobstructed.
4. King Safety often hinges on rapid development and timely castling rather than pawn shields.

Famous Examples

Fischer – Byrne, “Game of the Century,” 1956. The pawn structure blew wide open on move 11, enabling Fischer’s celebrated tactical sequence culminating in 17…Be6!!.

Interesting Facts

• The Open Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6/…Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4) is called “open” because of the symmetrical central pawn exchange, leading to free-flowing piece play even though the name of the opening, the Sicilian, is normally “semi-open.”
• Tablebases show that many pure rook-and-pawn endgames on totally open files (no pawns except the passers) are winning with accurate play from surprisingly early move counts.

5.Ngf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 (French: Tarrasch, Open Variation)

Definition & Move Order

The sequence 5.Ngf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 occurs in the Open Variation of the Tarrasch French:

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Ngf3 Nc6 6.Bb5

Strategic Ideas

• White:
  • Targets the d5-pawn by pinning the c6-knight; if the knight moves, d5 collapses.
  • Seeks rapid development (0-0, Re1, Nf1-g3) and pressure on Black’s IQP.
  • Keeps the bishop pair (Bb5 and Bf1) ready to exploit open diagonals after c2-c4.
• Black:
  • Accepts an isolated queen’s pawn (IQP) on d5 but gains free piece play and open lines.
  • Plans …Nf6, …Bd6 (or …Be7), short castling, and sometimes a quick …Bg4 to trade pieces.
  • Can unpin with …Bd7, inviting Bxc6 Bxc6 when Black’s pair of bishops and central majority compensate.

Historical & Theoretical Significance

The 6.Bb5 line is one of the most critical replies to 5…Nc6, producing rich middlegame battles. In the 1970s and 80s, it was a mainstay of Anatoly Karpov’s repertoire, notably in his 1978 World Championship match versus Viktor Korchnoi. Modern engines still evaluate it as a principled attempt for an opening edge.

Model Game

Karpov – Korchnoi, World Championship (Game 7), Baguio 1978 followed the text moves and illustrated the method of clamping down on the IQP:

[[Pgn| e4|e6| d4|d5| Nd2|c5| exd5|exd5| Ngf3|Nc6| Bb5|Bd6| dxc5|Bxc5| O-O|Nge7| Nb3|Bd6| c3|O-O| Re1|Bg4| h3|Bh5| Be3|Qc7| Be2|a6 ]]

Typical Plans & Tactics

1. Minor-Piece Pressure: After 6.Bb5, White often exchanges on c6 only when it yields a tactical advantage, since giving up the dark-squared bishop can help Black control the light squares around d5.
2. Minority Attack: The thrust b2-b4-b5 against Black’s queenside is common once the c-file is semi-open.
3. Breaks with c4: Undermines the d5-pawn; if Black plays …d4 in response, the d4-square becomes an outpost for a knight.

Interesting Nuggets

• Because the move 5.Ngf3 preserves the option of placing the other knight on f3 via e2 or g1, several authors whimsically call it “double-f3 flexibility.”
• In database statistics up to 2023, 6.Bb5 has scored ~56 % for White in master play, outperforming the alternative 6.dxc5 by about three percentage points.