Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6/2. d4/2...d5/3. Nd2/3...c5

Open Tarrasch Tarrasch variation 3...c5 · Open Tarrasch 3...c5 is the Open system of the Tarrasch French. Since 3. Nd2 obstructed White's queen's view of d4, Black strikes at the pawn immediately. 4. exd5 is the main line. Black may recapture with 4...exd5, the old main line that frees their bishop but leads to an isolated queen's pawn structure, but more common now is 4...Qxd5 (taking advantage of the fact White doesn't have Nc3 to chase it away!). This usually involves White temporarily losing their d4 pawn but will later recover it. 4. Ngf3, the Euwe-Keres variation, is a close-second line. White prepares to recapture on d4 with the knight. This can be adopted to "move order" around 4...Qxd5 in the main line: 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. exd5 Qxd5 and White has 6. Bc4 with tempo, so 5...exd5 is more common and the game transposes into the 4. exd5 exd5 5. Ngf3 Nc6 line. Defending the d-pawn with the c-pawn 4. c3!? (the Süchting variation) is playable but, unlike in the Closed Tarrasch, Black may respond 4...dxe4 (White's pawn was still on e4) 5. Nxe4 cxd4 6. cxd4, and White is left with an isolated queen's pawn which will be hard to keep protected. 4. dxc5?! allows 4...Bxc5 and Black's position is better. Theory table 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4 Euwe–Keres Line ...Ngf3 = ...exd5 = References See also French Defence