Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO D34), reached after 16 half-moves: 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.

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9.Bg5 8 lines
9.dxc5 2 lines
- D34 Classical Tarrasch Gambit
- D34 Réti Variation

About this opening

Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code D34. ECO group D (D00–D99) covers closed games and semi-closed games beginning 1.d4 d5, covering the Queen's Gambit, Slav, Grünfeld and related queen-pawn structures. This particular variation is reached after 16 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 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.

It belongs to the Tarrasch Defense family. Within that family this is a sub-variation (the Classical Variation line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.d4 d5, 2.c4 e6, 3.Nc3 c5, 4.cxd5 exd5, 5.Nf3 Nc6, 6.g3 Nf6. From this position 2 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.