The Tarrasch Defense is a variation of the Catalan Opening, catalogued as ECO E01. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 c5 5. Nf3 Nc6, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves.
On the Catalan Opening generally: A sophisticated system combining Queen's Gambit ideas with a fianchettoed king's bishop.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
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The Tarrasch Defense goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 c5 5. Nf3 Nc6. It is a variation of the Catalan Opening and is catalogued as ECO E01.
The Tarrasch Defense is ECO E01. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Catalan Opening.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 c5 5. Nf3 Nc6 at +0.42 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move.