Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...e6/3. Nc3/3...c5
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
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| Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 | |
| ECO code: D32-D34 | |
| Parent: Queen's gambit declined | |
3...c5 · Tarrasch defence
[edit | edit source]Black aggressively attempts to gain space in the center, with the caveat of a potentially isolated pawn on d5 after a few pawn exchanges. The isolated queen's pawn is one of the reasons many players prefer to play the Semi-Tarrasch instead.
White has the options of taking on d5, taking on c5 and protecting the pawn.
4. cxd5 is considered to be the main line, making sure the c3 knight won't be pushed around by Black's pawns and trying to create an isolated queen's pawn to play against.
4. e3 is White's main sideline, which equalizes for Black quite quickly. After both sides have developed the knights the position is completely symmetrical.
4. dxc5 results in Black being able to push the d pawn to gain a tempo on the knight. While the engine evaluates this move as equal, Black performs a lot better in practice.
Theory table
[edit | edit source]1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5
| 4 | 5 | 6 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prague variation |
cxd5 exd5 |
Nf3 Nc6 |
g3 Nf6 |
= |
| Swedish variation | ... ... |
... ... |
... c4 |
∞ |
| Schara gambit | ... cxd4 |
Qa4+ Bd7 |
Qxd4 | ∞ |
| Symmetrical variation |
e3 Nf6 |
Nf3 Nc6 |
= |
References
[edit | edit source]- Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.
With 2...g6:
With other 2nd moves for Black:
Dutch defence