Queens Gambit Declined: Tartakower Defense
Queen’s Gambit Declined: Tartakower Defense
Definition
The Tartakower Defense (also called the Tartakower–Makogonov–Bondarevsky System) is a respected variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined that arises after the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. Nf3 b6. Black voluntarily weakens the c6–d5–e6 light-square complex by playing …b6 in order to fianchetto the queen’s bishop to b7 and later break with …c5. The system is named after the Polish-French grandmaster Savielly Tartakower, who refined and popularized it in the 1920s.
Main Line Move-Order
A typical sequence (one of several transpositional routes) is:
- 1. d4 d5
- 2. c4 e6
- 3. Nc3 Nf6
- 4. Bg5 Be7
- 5. e3 h6
- 6. Bh4 O-O
- 7. Nf3 b6 (Enter Tartakower Defense)
Strategic Ideas
- Flexible Light-Square Bishop. By developing to b7, Black puts long-range pressure on the e4-square and supports the thematic …c5 break.
- Solid Yet Dynamic. Compared with other QGD set-ups (e.g., the Orthodox 7…Re8), Black accepts a slightly passive queenside in return for durable pawn structure and latent counterplay.
- Central Tension. The pawn on d5 remains unchallenged until …c5 is ready. White must decide between the minority attack (b4-b5) and central expansion with e4.
- Typical Plans for White.
- Play Rb1 and b4-b5 to soften c6 and d5.
- Put a knight on e5, exchange dark-square bishops, and aim for a kingside initiative.
- Typical Plans for Black.
- Break with …c5 at the right moment, sometimes preceded by …Nbd7, …Bb7 and …dxc4.
- Pressure the c4 pawn after …dxc4, exploiting the pinned Bg5/Bh4.
- In endgames, exploit White’s isolated or hanging c- and d-pawns after exchanges.
Historical Significance
Tartakower introduced the line against none other than José Raúl Capablanca in New York 1924. It later became a mainstay of Soviet opening theory—Makogonov and Bondarevsky added key refinements, giving the system its double-barreled name. World champions from Botvinnik to Kasparov and Kramnik have defended critical games with this setup, most notably in the 1963 Botvinnik–Petrosian and 2006 Kramnik–Topalov World Championship matches.
Illustrative Game
Capablanca – Tartakower, New York 1924
Tartakower equalized comfortably and eventually drew after 71 moves, demonstrating the defense’s solidity even against the world’s greatest technician.
Modern Usage
The Tartakower remains a top-level weapon. Vladimir Kramnik relied on it against Veselin Topalov in Game 2, Elista 2006, neutralizing an intense novelty and paving the way to his title defense. Engines evaluate the position after 7…b6 as roughly equal (≈0.10 at depth 40), confirming its theoretical soundness.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- In his witty style, Tartakower once joked that he chose 7…b6 so he could “watch the sun set on the queenside while my opponent worries about the dawn on the kingside.”
- The line is one of only a handful of QGD variations where Black’s c8-bishop is developed outside the pawn chain without giving up the center.
- Because of its triple attribution, English authors often abbreviate it to TMB, whereas Russian sources simply call it the “Tartakower System.”
- Magnus Carlsen reintroduced the line in elite rapid play (e.g., against Aronian, Chessable Masters 2020), showing that the defense adapts well to modern engine-assisted preparation.
Typical Tactical Motifs
- e4 Break Tactics. If White manages e3-e4 before Black plays …c5, pins along the d-file (after dxe4) can win material.
- Exchange Sacrifice on c3. In some minority-attack positions Black plays …Rxc3! to fracture the queenside.
- Back-Rank Tricks. After …cxd4 exd4, the queen can swing to g5 or h4, exploiting the misplaced Bg5/Bh4 and uncastled king if White delays O-O.
When (and Why) to Choose the Tartakower
Select this line if you:
- Prefer a rock-solid structure with minimal weaknesses.
- Enjoy maneuvering, prophylactic play, and gradual counterattack rather than immediate tactical chaos.
- Want an opening that is theoretically reliable and still offers winning chances at all time-controls.
Summary
The Queen’s Gambit Declined: Tartakower Defense combines classical solidity with hidden dynamism. Its rich heritage, endorsement by world champions, and constant presence in modern databases testify to its enduring educational and practical value. Whether you are a positional player seeking a safe haven or an adventurous counterpuncher awaiting the right …c5 break, the Tartakower delivers a timeless blueprint for sound chess.