French: Tarrasch Variation for Black — defence for Black

Facing the Tarrasch (3.Nd2): the open ...exd5 and ...Qxd5 lines, the closed 3...Nf6 4.e5, the flexible 3...Be7, the 3...Nc6 route and the solid Rubinstein with ...dxe4. 8 lines for Black: 3...c5 4.exd5 Qxd5, 3...c5 4.exd5 exd5, Closed 3...Nf6 4.e5 with ...Qb6, 3...Be7, 3...Nc6 with ...e5, Rubinstein 3...dxe4, 3...c5 4.c3 with ...Bb4+, Closed with ...b6 and ...Ba6.

Popularity rank #39 of 64 · Endgame Pro defence · against 3.Nd2

Open: Black gets an isolated d5 pawn or a clean open centre after ...Qxd5. Closed: a French chain with White's pawns on d4 and e5 and a white knight that sits on f3 or e2.

Watch out: In the closed lines the Greek gift is a standard threat, but it needs support. Count the attackers before you panic, and before White sacrifices on h7.

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