Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Carlsbad 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 9. Bg5
9… c4+0.29
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Carlsbad 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 9. Bg5, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… c4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.29).
Top engine moves
- +0.299… c4 10. Ne5 Be6 11. e3 h6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. f4 Bxe5 14. dxe5
- +0.439… cxd4 10. Nxd4 Re8 11. Be3 h6 12. Rc1 Bf8 13. Qd2 Na5 14. b3
- +0.549… Bf5 10. dxc5 d4 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nb5 Qa5 13. a4 a6 14. Nd6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Carlsbad 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 9. Bg5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… c4 for Black, continuing 10. Ne5 Be6 11. e3 h6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. f4 Bxe5 14. dxe5. The position is roughly equal (+0.29). The next best moves are 9… cxd4 (+0.43) and 9… Bf5 (+0.54).
Is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Carlsbad Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.29: the position is roughly equal. 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, Carlsbad 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+).