Semi-Tarrasch Defense
A refined Tarrasch: recapture on d5 with the knight to avoid the isolated pawn, aiming for a freer, more balanced middlegame.
Let's begin.
Press Learn to start, then play the moves yourself.
Play pawn to d5.
Variations in this course
Every line runs to a middlegame position with coach commentary at each fork. Playing Black, you'll meet:
- 1
Main Line (e3)
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 c5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e3 Nc6 7.Bd3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.a3 cxd4 10.exd4 Nf6
- 2
e4 Center
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 c5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4
Take it with you
Export this repertoire as a standard PGN — with the coach's notes as comments — to study it in Lichess, ChessBase, or any board you like. Sidelines are saved as PGN variations.
Related courses
More from the Queen's Gambit Family.
Queen's Gambit Accepted
One of the simplest, most reliable ways to meet 1.d4: equalize fast with clear ideas instead of a mountain of theory.
Catalan Opening
A powerful positional weapon for White. The fianchettoed bishop on g2 exerts long-term pressure on the center and queenside for the entire game.
Semi-Slav Defense
A rock-solid yet combative answer to the Queen's Gambit. Black builds a ...c6/...e6 fortress and grabs the bishop pair with a timely ...dxc4.
Slav Defense
Defend d5 without locking in the light-squared bishop. The Slav is famously tough to crack and a favorite of world champions.