ECO D34 · Tarrasch Defense

Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

9. dxc5+0.37

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation (D34), reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O, Stockfish 18 recommends 9. dxc5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.37).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.379. dxc5 Bxc5 10. a3 Ne4 11. Qxd5 Nxc3 12. Qxc5 Nxe2+ 13. Kh1 Nxc1
  2. +0.299. Bg5 c4 10. Ne5 Be6 11. f4 h6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Rf2 Bxe5
  3. +0.289. Bf4 h6 10. Rc1 Be6 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Qd3 Qa5 13. Rfd1 Rfd8

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation?
After 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9. dxc5 for White, continuing Bxc5 10. a3 Ne4 11. Qxd5 Nxc3 12. Qxc5 Nxe2+ 13. Kh1 Nxc1. White is slightly better (+0.37). The next best moves are 9. Bg5 (+0.29) and 9. Bf4 (+0.28).
Is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.37: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation?
D34. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; D is the volume for closed and semi-closed games.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).