Queens Gambit Declined: Three Knights Barmen Variation
Queen's Gambit Declined – Three Knights, Barmen Variation
Definition
The Barmen Variation is a sub-line of the Queen’s Gambit Declined (QGD) that arises after the so-called Three Knights set-up. Its starting position is reached by the moves:
- 1. d4 d5
- 2. c4 e6
- 3. Nc3 Nf6
- 4. Nf3 c5 (4…c5 = Barmen Variation)
When Black strikes immediately at the d4–c4 pawn chain with …c5, the game often transposes to a Semi-Tarrasch structure, but with a distinctive move order and extra tactical possibilities created by the early development of White’s two knights (hence “Three Knights”). The line owes its name to the 1905 international tournament in Barmen, Germany, where the idea was analyzed and adopted by several masters.
How it is used in play
Black chooses the Barmen Variation when he or she:
- wants immediate counterplay against the center instead of the more solid 4…Be7 or 4…c6;
- is comfortable handling positions with an isolated queen’s pawn (IQP) on d5 that can result after the central captures;
- wishes to sidestep the very heavily-analysed Ragozin (4…Bb4) and Vienna (4…dxc4) systems.
Strategic themes
Typical plans emerge after 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 when the pawn structure resembles a Semi-Tarrasch:
- For White:
- Pressure the IQP with pieces on c3, f3, and squares like b5 and e5.
- Use the half-open c-file and outposts on c5 & e5 for knights.
- Delay or even avoid cxd5 in order to maintain central tension if circumstances allow.
- For Black:
- Exploit the extra space granted by the d-pawn, often following up with …Nc6, …Be7, …0-0 and, in many cases, …Bg4.
- Seek dynamic piece activity—especially along the c- and e-files—to compensate for the structural weakness.
- In some lines Black can recapture on d5 with a piece (…Nxd5) instead of the pawn, sidestepping the IQP altogether.
Historical and theoretical notes
• The move 4…c5 was introduced into tournament practice at the 1905 Barmen event, which featured
analytical contributions by players such as Rudolf Spielmann and Carl Schlechter.
• In the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings it bears the code group D37 (Queen’s
Gambit Declined – Three Knights) with specific sub-code “Barmen” in many databases.
• Modern engines evaluate the line as roughly equal but complicated. Players like
Peter Leko and Levon Aronian have occasionally adopted it as a surprise
weapon against well-prepared opponents.
Illustrative game
Below is a short annotated miniature from the inaugurating tournament:
[[Pgn| d4 d5 c4 e6 Nc3 Nf6 Nf3 c5 cxd5 exd5 Bg5 Be7 e3 c4 Be2 Nc6 O-O O-O Ne5 Be6 f4 Ne4 Bxe7 Nxe7 Nxe4 dxe4 Bxc4 Bxc4 Nxc4 Nf5 Qe2 Rc8 Rac1| arrows|d4d5,f3d4,c4d5|squares|d5]]White: Richard Teichmann – Black: Carl Schlechter, Barmen 1905. Teichmann demonstrated the classical plan of clamping down on Black’s IQP, but Schlechter’s energetic counterplay with …c4 and …Ne4 shows the dynamic resources typical of the variation.
Modern example
Anish Giri – Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Wijk aan Zee 2019 also featured the Barmen move order. Giri avoided the critical IQP structure with 5.e3, but MVL equalised comfortably and later won in an opposite-coloured-bishop ending. The game illustrates how flexible Black’s position can be when the center remains fluid.
Interesting facts & anecdotes
- The variation was almost forgotten during the hyper-modern era, only to re-emerge in computer preparation thanks to its dynamic pawn breaks.
- Because it can transpose to both the Tarrasch and the Semi-Tarrasch
Defences without allowing an immediate isolated pawn, some authors refer
to 4…c5 jokingly as a “
Tarrasch with a seatbelt
.” - Grandmaster Alexei Shirov once quipped that he likes the Barmen because “you get Tarrasch style activity, but you save a tempo to set the board on fire later.”
Summary
The Three Knights Barmen Variation is a daring alternative to the solid main-line QGD choices. By replying 4…c5, Black forces an early confrontation in the center, leading to rich play where both sides must balance structural concessions against piece activity—exactly the sort of battleground that keeps the Queen’s Gambit Declined endlessly fascinating.