Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...e6/3. Nc3/3...c5

Tarrasch Defence Queen's gambit declined D32-D34 3...c5 · Tarrasch defence 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 Prague variation 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 Swedish variation 4... ... 5... ... 6... c4 unclear Schara gambit 4. ... cxd4 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qxd4 unclear Symmetrical variation 4. e3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 Tarrasch Defence References