The Classical Variation, Advance Variation is a variation of the Tarrasch Defense, catalogued as ECO D34. The line runs 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 9. Bg5 c4, reaching the position shown below after 18 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is White to move after nine moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.
On the Tarrasch Defense generally: ECO D32. A chess opening with 26 known variations.
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.
See all 25 Tarrasch Defense variations →
The Classical Variation, Advance Variation goes 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 9. Bg5 c4. It is a variation of the Tarrasch Defense and is catalogued as ECO D34.
The Classical Variation, Advance Variation is ECO D34. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Tarrasch Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 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 9. Bg5 c4 at +0.22 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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). Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.