21. Tarrasch Defense (3...c5) and Rubinstein System with g3
Against 3...c5 White exchanges on d5 and places the Bishop on g2: the isolated d5 pawn becomes the target of the whole middlegame.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.g3 Nc6 6.Bg2 Nf6 7.O-O Be7 8.Nc3 O-O 9.Bg5 cxd4 10.Nxd4 h6 11.Be3 Re8 12.Rc1 Bf8
Move by move
- 1.d4 – White takes the center with the queen's pawn, already defended by the Queen, and opens the diagonal for the c1 Bishop. The repertoire plan is c4 next move to attack Black's d5 pawn at once.
- 1...d5 – Black answers symmetrically: the d5 pawn prevents e4 and contests the center. White can now hit it from the side with the c-pawn.
- 2.c4 – The Queen's Gambit attacks d5 with a flank pawn. It is not a real sacrifice: after 2...dxc4 White regains the pawn with e3 and Bxc4, or takes the center with e4.
- 2...e6 – The Queen's Gambit Declined: Black supports d5 with the e-pawn. The structure is rock solid, but the c8 Bishop stays shut in behind e6: this will be Black's main problem throughout the chapter.
- 3.Nf3 – The Knight develops without blocking the c-pawn and keeps open the choice between Nc3 and the g3 fianchetto, that is the Catalan system.
- 3...c5 – Tarrasch Defense: Black strikes at d4 at once and accepts an isolated pawn on d5 in exchange for active play for all his pieces.
- 4.cxd5 – White exchanges on d5 to create the black isolated pawn. Black will have to recapture with the e-pawn.
- 4...exd5 – Black recaptures with the pawn. After ...cxd4 the d5 pawn will be isolated, but Black's pieces will have open lines.
- 5.g3 – Rubinstein System: the Bishop will go to g2 and press on the d5 pawn, the weak point of the Tarrasch.
- 5...Nc6 – The Knight defends d4 and prepares ...Nf6. Black develops the pieces toward the center.
- 6.Bg2 – The Bishop completes the fianchetto and attacks d5 along the long diagonal. The isolated pawn is already under pressure.
- 6...Nf6 – The Knight defends d5 and prepares castling. It is the main defender of the isolated pawn.
- 7.O-O – The King goes to safety. White prepares Nc3 and Bg5 to increase the pressure on d5.
- 7...Be7 – The Bishop develops and prepares castling. Black keeps the tension in the center.
- 8.Nc3 – The Knight attacks d5 a second time and prepares Bg5 against the f6 Knight.
- 8...O-O – Black castles and completes development of the kingside. He must now decide when to exchange on d4.
- 9.Bg5 – The Bishop pins the f6 Knight, the defender of d5. The isolated pawn is attacked three times.
- 9...cxd4 – Black captures on d4 and frees his game. Now the d5 pawn is isolated and White recaptures with the Knight.
- 10.Nxd4 – The Knight recaptures on d4 and centralizes in front of the isolated pawn, blocking ...d4.
- 10...h6 – Black asks the g5 Bishop to decide: Bxf6 gives up the bishop pair, Be3 defends the d4 Knight.
- 11.Be3 – The Bishop retreats to e3 and defends the d4 Knight. The blockade in front of the isolated pawn is stable.
- 11...Re8 – The Rook occupies the semi-open e-file and presses on the e2 pawn and the e3 Bishop.
- 12.Rc1 – The Rook occupies the c-file, where the c6 Knight stands. It prepares Nxc6 followed by pressure on the c6 pawn.
- 12...Bf8 – The Bishop retreats to f8, where it protects the King and leaves the e-file free for the e8 Rook.
How to exploit the position
Black has the isolated pawn on d5 and active pieces; White has the blockade on d4 and the pressure of the g2 Bishop.
- Exchange on c6 with Nxc6 bxc6, then Na4 and Bd4: the c6 pawn becomes weak.
- Attack d5 with the g2 Bishop, the Queen on b3 and the d1 Rook.
- Keep the Knight or Bishop on d4 as a blockade in front of the isolated pawn.
- Black wants ...Ng4 against the e3 Bishop and ...Bg4: keep the d4 square well defended.
Master tips
The isolated pawn on d5
In the Tarrasch the d5 pawn is weak: attack it with pieces, blockade it in front.