Who Was The Tarrasch Variation Named After?

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Who Plays The Tarrasch Variation Of The French Defense?

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How To Learn The French Defense Tarrasch Variation?

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Counter The French Defense With The Tarrasch Variation

The French Defense (1. …e6) is Black’s third-most popular reply to 1. e4. If you are going to play the King’s Pawn Opening with White successfully, then you need to prepare a way of playing against the French. The Tarrasch Variation is one of the best options. It is reasonably straightforward to learn, scores very well for White, and makes it difficult for Black to equalize out of the opening. It is everything a chess opening for White should be!

In this article, we provide what you need to begin your journey in the Tarrasch Variation:

Why to consider playing the Tarrasch against the French Defense.
Thematic ideas commonly found in this opening.
How to further build upon your understanding of the French Defense, Tarrasch Variation.

Tarrasch Variation Cover Image — Images from chess.com and from the book “Chess Opening Names”, with permission from the author.

The Tarrasch Variation - Introduction and Origins

The French Defense starts with 1. e4 e6, and almost always continues 2. d4 d5. Therefore, White’s first major decision about which direction to take the game arises on move three.

French Defense Starting Position — The most common continuation in the French Defense after both sides have played two moves.

The Tarrasch Variation is where White plays 3. Nd2. It is named after the influential German chess master Siegbert Tarrasch, a German player and author who was most active between the late 19th to early 20th century. Tarrasch unsuccessfully challenged for the World Chess Championship of 1908 against Emanuel Lasker. Besides this, Tarrasch made many contributions to chess opening theory.

Tarrasch Variation Starting Position — The starting position of the French Defense, Tarrasch Variation.

Although White’s queenside knight may, at first, appear oddly placed on d2, the idea behind it is to be able to meet Black’s typical c5 advance with c3 - protecting the d4 pawn with another pawn. This offers White greater stability in the center than is the case in some of the alternative variations against the French Defense.

Tarrasch Variation Possible Continuation — In the Tarrasch Variation, White is able to reply to Black’s **…c5** with **…c3**, thus defending d4 with a pawn.

Why Play The Tarrasch Variation?

White’s main alternatives to the Tarrasch Variation are:

3. Nc3: The Classical Variation - This is the sharpest option. However, the Classical Variation is theoretically demanding. In particular, White needs to be ready for the possibility of Black playing 3. …Bb4: the Winawer Variation. If you are happy to invest a great deal of time learning the opening theory, then by all means give the Classical Variation a try. If not, then steer clear.
3. e5: The Advance Variation - Although certainly playable for White, the Advance Variation is one of the most comfortable options for most French Defense players to face. Black’s moves come very naturally. For example, …c5 and …Nc6 to strike at White’s center. Black scores very well against the Advance Variation at all levels.
3. exd5: The Exchange Variation - Initiating an exchange of pawns on d5 leads to a symmetrical pawn structure after Black recaptures 3. …exd5. As such, it is very hard for either side to create imbalances. A lot of the time, many pieces get traded quickly. The Exchange Variation cedes any hope of gaining an opening advantage with White. The Exchange Variation has a high drawing percentage compared to the other options. It is not the most testing choice to make Black’s life difficult in the opening.

French Defense 3rd Move Options For White — The main third moves for White against the French Defense. Source: chess.com’s opening explorer, accessed September 2024.

The Tarrasch Variation has the advantages of:

Being easier to learn than the Classical Variation.
Putting Black under more pressure than the Advance Variation.
Giving better chances of playing for a win than the Exchange Variation.

This is why the Tarrasch Variation is our recommended way of countering the French Defense.

Still need convincing? In the 2023 World Chess Championship, Ding Liren of China surprised his opponent, Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia, by playing the French Defense. Nepomniachtchi’s choice to fight against the French with White was the Tarrasch Variation.

After a tough struggle, Nepomniachtchi won a memorable encounter. You can check out the full game by clicking here.

Thematic Ideas In The French Defense Tarrasch Variation

Playing Against The e6 Pawn

One option for Black against the Tarrasch is to capture on e4 immediately. After 3. …dxe4 and 4. Nxe4, we arrive at the so-called Rubinstein Variation of the French Defense. Note that an identical position can also come about starting from the Classical Variation (where White plays 3. Nc3).

Rubinstein Variation #1 — The starting position of the French Defense, Rubinstein Variation.

This position is pleasant for White. The knight gets to the influential e4 square. White also enjoys a space advantage in the center thanks to their pawn on d4.

Black’s main problem in the early middlegame is their light-squared bishop. This bishop cannot easily develop to an active location due to Black’s pawn on e6 blocking the way. As a result, Black will often be looking for an opportunity to play …e5. If Black is allowed to make the pawn break …e5 in good circumstances, it will challenge the White pawn on d4 and free Black’s light-squared bishop.

White should not allow this. Constantly be on the lookout for whether Black is threatening to play …e5 - and if so, put a stop to it!

In the below position, White is doing a great job of preventing …e5, via:

The pawn on d4,
Knight on f3, and;
Rook on e1.

Rubinstein Variation #2 — White is preventing Black from playing **…e5**.

Another good way to prevent Black from playing …e5 is by placing a knight on that square. This idea is illustrated in the below position.

Rubinstein Variation #3 — In general, the e5 square is an excellent spot for a White knight in the Tarrasch Variation.

The Kingside Attack

The greatest challenge for anyone who chooses the French Defense with the Black pieces is when White plays aggressively against their castled king.

The following position is a good example of White putting Black’s kingside under serious pressure. We highlight in particular:

White’s light-squared bishop on d3 aiming at the vulnerable h7 square.
White’s queen on h3 also targeting h7.
White’s knight on g5 aggressively placed, challenging the defensive Black knight on f6.

A mistake Black often makes in such positions is to try to relieve the pressure against h7 by advancing the pawn to h6.

However, this invites White to make a dangerous piece sacrifice: Bxh6!

This typical sacrifice rips open the Black kingside. It works in a position such as this one because White’s pieces are well-placed to take advantage. Meanwhile, most of Black’s forces are stranded over on the queenside, unable to come to the aid of their king.

Always keep the Bxh6 sacrifice in mind when playing against the French!

Related: Improve your attacking play with Art of Attack in Chess by Vladimir Vukovic, available from the USCF store.

Punishing Qxb2

White can safely leave the b2 pawn undefended in some circumstances. Black can be prevented from capturing it due to tactical reasons.

An example is shown below, with Black to move.

Let’s say Black grabs the b2 pawn with …Qxb2, resulting in the following position.

White can win material with a combination starting with Bxf7+!

The point is after …Kxh7, White can give another check with Qd3+. This clears the way for Rab1 - trapping the Black queen. With a decisive material advantage, White should go on to win.

Remember that every position is different - but it is worth bearing in mind that, at times, White does not need to defend the b2 pawn directly. Indirect defense is often better than direct defense! Be on the lookout for the chance to punish Black’s greed if they go pawn-grabbing.

Getting Started With The French Defense Tarrasch Variation

Like what you have read in this article? Then you may want to play the Tarrasch Variation in serious competition. If so, we have a recommendation to take your knowledge of the Tarrasch Variation to the next level.

GM Sergei Tiviakov has produced a wonderful video training course dedicated to beating the French Defense. It is called: The French Defense 3. Nd2.

GM Tiviakov has had great results playing the Tarrasch over the course of his long career. Now, he can be your guide as you add this opening to your repertoire.

This comprehensive video training course includes:

5 hours of recorded lessons.
A reference database with annotated games.
Interactive training, to make sure you are ready to play the Tarrasch in your own games.

Want to play the Tarrasch like a pro? Click here to check it out!

Summary: Is The Tarrasch Variation Right For You?

The Tarrasch Variation can be an outstanding way of meeting the French Defense if you:

Like to play for a kingside attack: White is often gets strong attacking chances against Black’s castled king. The Tarrasch Variation will suit your style if you enjoy being the aggressor in your chess games.
Have a sharp tactical eye and good calculation skills: Your results in the Tarrasch Variation will be much better if you are able to spot all tactical opportunities and can take advantage of them accurately.
Can play with a variety of different pawn structures: The middlegames stemming from the Tarrasch Variation vary widely depending on Black’s play. Sometimes the center can be closed. Other times, it becomes much more open. Sometimes Black will have an isolated queen’s pawn. Other times, White will be the one with the isolated queen’s pawn. Expect to get a rich variety of pawn structures when playing the Tarrasch Variation.

Does that sound like a chess opening for White that you would enjoy? If so, try the Tarrasch Variation against the French Defense today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the Tarrasch Variation (3. Nd2) is an excellent way for White to meet the French Defense. At master level it is White’s second-most played option against the French - behind only the Classical Variation (3. Nc3). The Tarrasch Variation is somewhat easier to learn and requires less memorization of opening lines than the Classical Variation.

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