Tarrasch Defense & Variations: Two Knights, Rubinstein
Tarrasch Defense
Definition
The Tarrasch Defense is a dynamic reply to the Queen’s Gambit that arises after
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5
or, in a move–order that delays …e6, via 3…c5 first. Black immediately challenges the d- and c-pawns, accepting an isolated queen’s pawn (IQP) after 4.cxd5 exd5, in return for rapid piece activity.
Typical Move Order & Key Branches
- 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 – Main Line
- 6.g3 – Leads to the Prague Variation (see separate entry).
- 6.dxc5 – Classical (Bremen) Variation
- 4.exd5 exd5 – Schlechter (Knight-before-Bishop) System
Strategic Ideas
- Black’s IQP on d5 gives space and open lines (especially c- and e-files) but can become a long-term weakness in endgames.
- White often chooses between (a) blockading the d-pawn and targeting it, or (b) keeping the position fluid and trying to exploit the square complex around it (e.g., outposts on c5/e5).
- Piece activity is crucial; exchanges that reach a minor-piece endgame usually favour the side without the IQP.
Historical & Practical Significance
Named after the German grandmaster Siegbert Tarrasch, the defense was a favourite of World Champions Spassky and Karpov, both of whom demonstrated its resilience at the highest level. Computer engines rate the line close to equality, keeping it popular in modern praxis.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The diagram (after 8…Bc5) is the starting position of the Prague Variation.
Interesting Facts
- In the 1960 Candidates, Boris Spassky used the Tarrasch in four of his six Black games, scoring an unbeaten +2 =2 –0!
- The structure is so topical that endgame manuals devote an entire chapter to “IQP positions arising from the Tarrasch.”
Two Knights (Two Knights Defense)
Definition
The Two Knights Defense appears after
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6
Black foregoes the solid 3…Bc5 (Giuoco Piano) in favour of 3…Nf6, inviting razor-sharp play centered on the e- and f-files.
Main Continuations
- 4.Ng5 – The Fried Liver / Lolli Attack after 4…d5 5.exd5 Nxd5?! leads to violent tactics where White hunts f7.
- 4.d4 exd4 5.e5 – The Modern Main Line, aiming for space and a kingside bind.
- 4.d3 – A quieter Italian Four Knights hybrid, keeping pieces on the board.
- 4.Nc3 – Four Knights Game transposition.
Strategic Themes
- Early pressure on f7 and e5, the weakest points in Black’s camp.
- Black counters by attacking the white bishop on c4, challenging the centre with …d5, and sometimes sacrificing material for activity (e.g., Traxler / Wilkes-Barre Gambit 3…Bc5!?).
Historical Tidbits
Paul Morphy’s sparkling victories against the Two Knights (both as White and Black) popularised the opening in the 19th century. Today, super-GM Fabiano Caruana often chooses 4.d4 while Maxime Vachier-Lagrave toys with the swashbuckling Traxler.
Famous Example
The “Polerio” line (8…Na5) shows Black giving back a pawn to kick the c4-bishop and neutralise White’s attack.
Fun Fact
The Fried Liver became so infamous at club level that entire repertoires for Black are marketed under the slogan “Avoid the Fried Liver!”
Rubinstein Variation / Rubinstein System
Definition
“Rubinstein” is an umbrella term for several openings and systems championed by the Polish-French grandmaster Akiba Rubinstein. The two most common are:
- Nimzo-Indian Defense, Rubinstein System: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3
- French Defense, Rubinstein Variation: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4
Why It Matters
Rubinstein’s stamp on these lines embodies controlled solidity – he willingly trades a small structural concession (e.g., c-pawn block in the Nimzo) to obtain a harmonious piece placement and safe king.
Key Ideas
- Nimzo-Indian 4.e3: White avoids doubled c-pawns, supports d4, and keeps the option of Nf3 without blocking the f-pawn. Plans revolve around rapid development (Bd3, Nf3, 0-0) and eventually pushing e4.
- French 3…dxe4: Black trades the central pawn, aiming for a rock-solid structure (…c5, …Nd7) and swift piece development. White receives a strong centre once he recaptures but must avoid over-extension.
Illustrative Snippet (Nimzo)
The Rubinstein System keeps the long diagonal closed, buying time for sound development.
Historical Anecdote
At San Sebastián 1912 Rubinstein scored 12½/19, repeatedly using the French Rubinstein to neutralise attacking giants like Marshall. His cool defensive technique foreshadowed the “Classical School” of Capablanca.
Prague Variation (in the Tarrasch Defense)
Definition & Move Order
The Prague Variation is a sharp sub-line of the Tarrasch Defense starting from
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5
Strategic Essence
- Black temporarily sacrifices the d-pawn (after 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.0-0) to obtain powerful piece activity and pressure on f2.
- The bishop pair and half-open c- and e-files make piece coordination paramount; both sides castle quickly.
Why “Prague”?
The line gained attention in the 1920s–1930s through tournaments held in Prague, where Czech masters like Salo Flohr experimented with it.
Model Encounter
After 9.Nb3 Bb6 10.0-0, engines claim approximate equality, illustrating the balance between Black’s activity and the isolated pawn.
Trivia
Magnus Carlsen dusted off the Prague Variation against Fabiano Caruana in Stavanger 2018 blitz, winning a miniature that renewed interest in the line on modern databases.
Carlsbad Endgame Variation (Ruy Lopez, Exchange)
Definition & Move Sequence
The Carlsbad Endgame Variation is a queenless sideline of the Ruy Lopez Exchange that appears after:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d4 exd4 6.Qxd4 Qxd4 7.Nxd4
Both queens come off by move six, leading to an equal-material minor-piece endgame rich in subtle play.
Origin of the Name
The structure was analysed in depth at the famous Carlsbad tournaments (Carlsbad/Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia) of 1907 and 1911, where players such as Capablanca, Rubinstein, and Teichmann employed it.
Core Features
- Bishop pair vs. better pawn structure: Black possesses two bishops but doubled c-pawns; White has a four-to-three kingside majority.
- Long-term planning over tactics: Typical manoeuvres include Nd2-f1-g3 for White, while Black aims for …c5 or …f6 breaks to free the bishops.
- “Small-plus syndrome”: Capablanca showed how a seeming micro-advantage (undeveloped queenside, crippled pawns) can be nursed for 30 moves and converted.
Classic Illustration
Capablanca – Teichmann, Carlsbad 1911 followed the main line to move 7, after which Capablanca’s knight dance (Nd2-b3-c5) highlighted the weaknesses of Black’s c6-pawn.
Interesting Facts
- The variation is a favourite teaching tool for endgame coaches because tactics are minimal, emphasising pure positional understanding.
- Engine evaluations hover around “=+0.20” for White, yet practical results in classical play strongly favour the first player—a testament to the lineage of Capablanca’s technique.