Tarrasch Defense: Two Knights & Rubinstein Prague

Tarrasch Defense

Definition

The Tarrasch Defense is a dynamic answer to the Queen’s Gambit, characterised by the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5. By immediately striking at the centre with …c5, Black accepts an isolated–queen’s-pawn (IQP) structure in many lines, banking on piece activity and quick development to offset the structural weakness.

Typical Move Orders

Symmetrical: 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 …
Two Knights: 4.Nf3 Nf6, delaying the central capture.
French–style: 4.e3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nc6 … (quiet build-up).

Strategic Themes

Isolated d-pawn – a strength in the middlegame, a weakness in the endgame.
Open lines for the bishops and active piece play.
Typical minority attacks (b-pawn thrust) for White.

Historical Significance

Named after the German master Siegbert Tarrasch (1862-1934), the defence was adopted by many classical players seeking counter-chances with Black. In the 20^th century it appeared in World Championship play—most famously in Karpov vs Korchnoi, Baguio 1978—and was later revived by Garry Kasparov.

Illustrative Game

Karpov – Korchnoi, Baguio (m/17) 1978:
The game shows how Black’s active pieces compensated for the IQP until Karpov steered the struggle into an endgame where the pawn became a liability.

Interesting Facts

The ECO codes D32-D39 are entirely devoted to Tarrasch-Defense sub-lines.
Tarrasch himself played the opening only sporadically; its theory was developed mainly by followers such as Rubinstein, Nimzowitsch and, later, Kasparov.

Two Knights Variation (Tarrasch)

Definition

Within the Tarrasch Defense the Two Knights Variation arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.Nf3 Nf6. Both sides develop their knights before clarifying the tension in the centre.

Usage and Ideas

Black delays …cxd4 to keep options flexible; sometimes the central capture is avoided altogether in favour of …Nc6 and …Be7.
White can choose between 4.cxd5 (entering “Symmetrical Tarrasch”) or maintaining the pawn on c4 and preparing e2-e3.
The line often transposes to Rubinstein or Prague systems once the c-pawn is exchanged.

Example Continuation

5.cxd5 exd5 6.g3 Nc6 7.Bg2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 leads to a rich IQP position where both knights are actively posted, hence the name.

Trivia

The term “Two Knights” is much older and better known from the Two Knights Defense in the Open Game (1.e4 e5), but in databases the qualifier “(Tarrasch)” clarifies that the present variation belongs to the Queen’s Gambit family.
Grandmaster Peter Leko employed this set-up as a drawing weapon with Black in the early 2000s, trusting the solidity of the symmetrical structure.

Rubinstein System (Tarrasch)

Definition

Named after the Polish maestro Akiba Rubinstein, the system appears after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3. White fianchettoes the bishop, aiming to pile pressure on d5 while bolstering control over the light squares.

Strategic Significance

The g2-bishop attacks the d5-pawn, forcing Black either to defend it passively or to create counter-play with …c4 or …Bg4.
White often executes the minority attack: b2-b4-b5.
Black counters by blockading the IQP and seeking active piece play: …Bg4, …Re8, …Ne4.

Model Game

Rubinstein – Spielmann, Karlsbad 1923:
Rubinstein demonstrated how persistent pressure on Black’s IQP can lead to a favourable endgame.

Interesting Tidbits

Rubinstein’s deep endgame understanding made this system particularly fitting; in many of his games the d-pawn eventually fell in a rook ending.
Modern proponents include Sergei Tiviakov and Anish Giri, who appreciate the line’s flexibility.

Prague Variation

Definition

The Prague Variation is a concrete branch of the Rubinstein System in the Tarrasch Defense, identified by …Nf6 followed by …cxd4, producing rapid piece activity. One common move order is:

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 7…cxd4 8.Nxd4 Qb6.

Why “Prague”?

The name honours the 1931 Prague International Tournament, where the line was analysed and tested extensively by masters such as Salo Flohr. It later featured in games of Czech and Slovak grandmasters, cementing the geographical tag.

Key Ideas

Black hits the b2-pawn with …Qb6, provoking weaknesses or winning time for development.
White decides between 9.Nb3, 9.Nxc6, or 9.e3, each leading to distinct pawn structures.
Tactics on the long diagonal (a7–g1) abound; accurate play is required from both sides.

Notable Encounter

Kasparov – Karpov, Linares 1993 saw a sharp Prague Variation where Kasparov’s novelty 12.Bg5!? led to a crushing kingside attack.

Carlsbad Variation

Definition

In ECO tables the Carlsbad Variation refers to a branch of the Tarrasch Defense that reaches the famous Carlsbad pawn structure (minority-attack formation) via:

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 7…cxd4 8.Nxd4.

Carlsbad Structure

After the exchange of c- and d-pawns, the remaining pawns (White: a2-b2-c2; Black: a7-b7-c6) echo positions that first became theoretical in tournaments held in Carlsbad (Karlovy Vary) during the 1920s.

Main Plans

White: Minority attack with b2-b4-b5; pressure on d5.
Black: Advance the IQP to d4 at the right moment; kingside play with …Ne4 and …f5.

Example

Portisch – Uhlmann, Interzonal 1979 demonstrated textbook play: White exploited the minority attack, fixed Black’s pawn on d5, and converted in a queen-rook endgame.

Petursson Variation

Definition

The Petursson Variation is a rare but venomous sideline of the Tarrasch Defense, named after Icelandic Grandmaster Margeir Pétursson. It arises after

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 7…c4!?

Black voluntarily closes the centre, transforming the typical IQP into a protected passed pawn on c4 and aiming for queenside space.

Strategic Nuances

The pawn on c4 restricts White’s light-squared bishop and grabs queenside territory.
White strives for e2-e4 breaks or a quick b2-b3 undermining.
The line often transposes into positions reminiscent of the Benoni or Bogo-Indian, providing fresh territory for enterprising players.

Historical Footnote

GM Pétursson introduced the move in Icelandic league play (late 1980s), scoring several quick wins against unsuspecting opponents. Although never fully mainstream, it remains a surprise weapon—Magnus Carlsen even used it in a 2012 blitz game.

Sample Continuation

8.0-0 Be7 9.b3 cxb3 10.Qxb3 0-0 leads to a complex middlegame where chances are roughly balanced but largely unexplored.