Tarrasch with dxc5 after Be7 Flashcards
Usually Black plays Nc6 before Nf6 in the Tarrasch. After 5. …Nf6 6 Bg2 , what are Black’s main tries for an independent track?
The main independent tries are 6 … cxd4 , 6 … c4 and 6 … Be7.
6 … cxd4 7. Nd4 the main independent try is the Dubov style 7… Bc5. SSLTR - This would be consistent with the Dubov Tarrasch, but it looks very suspect when White’s knight is not yet on c3.
6 … c4 SSLTR - Black can always consider pushing c5-c4, but it never seems to work too well. A big part of the appeal for White is that without the knight on c3 just yet, Black is unable to make trouble with Bf8-b4. After 7. 0-0 Be7 8 b3 SSLTR - Black’s position is already collapsing. In general, this c5-c4 idea only ever makes sense if White has already committed his knight to c3 so that moves like Bf8-b4 become annoying. Since this is not the case, Black is in serious trouble.
6 … Be7 will likely transpose into the main lines with Nc6 after 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. O-O O-O 9. a3
Black has played an early Nf6 , exchanged on d4 and now plays Bc5 looking for a Dubov style Tarrasch.
How does White counter?
White plays 8. 0-0 . Normal Dubov options with Nc6 , Qb6 do not work - after 8 … Nc6 9. Nc6 dc6 10. Qc2 then Bc5 and c6 square are under attack.
After 8 … 0-0 9 Nc3 Nc6 10. Be3 SSLTR - The inclusion of O-O for both sides means that Dubov’s intended Qd8-b6 makes no sense here, as, after a subsequent Nc3-a4, he would not have a check available. Black is much worse thanks to his isolated pawn and I see no real hope for counterplay. I like this even more than 10.Nd4-b3, winning the d5-pawn, as at least then Black would have active pieces- now, White is the one with more active pieces, and Black has nothing to show for the long term weakness on d5. If Ng4 then Nc6
Black plays Nc6 and Be7 in the mainline Tarrasch - how do we proceed?
White plays d x c5 and then a3.
It is quite typical to capture the c5-pawn after Black has committed a move with his Bishop. This ensures that Black spends two tempos to get in …Bxc5.
White’s plan is simple - b4, Nc3, Na4 and Nc5
In response to dxc5 and a3 Black plays a5 restraining the b pawn - how should we proceed?
White plays Bg5 this increases pressure on d5. e.g. if h6 Bf6 Qf6 and Qd5 wins the pawn and attacks the loose Bishop on c5.
a5 creates a weakness on b5 - this máybe a good post for the knight after a later Nc3 , Nb5.
If Black advances d4 then White can play Nbd2-b3 and also Ne1-d3 in many lines.
In response to dxc5 and a3 Black plays a6 - how should we proceed?
10.b4 is much more commonly played in this position. However,10.Nc3 works equally well. White doesn’t worry about10…d4 for the moment as the White Knight can always go to c5 via 11 .Na4.
One of the advantages of having Knight on c3 instead of on d2 is that it gives White the additional option of Bg5, which can add real pressure on d5 on many occasions.
Black may now push d4 in which case 11. Na4 Ba7 12. b4 - This is a typical way of putting pressure against the d4-pawn, by intercepting with Nc5 and cutting the communication between the a7-Bishop and the d4-pawn the 12… 0-0. Here Bb2 or playing Nc5 are options
If instead 0-0 then 11.b4 Ba7 12.Bg5
Exploiting Black’s weaknesses. Black is in a fix now. If Black plays12…d4, then after13.Ne4 White is really in a position of dominance, allowed to damage White’s Kingside pawn structure at will.
Artemiev - Grishchenko, 2015 is a good example of this position. On the other hand, if Black doesn’t want to play …gxf6, then Black loses the d5-pawn. Black is in between the frying pan and the fire from a strategic point of view.
In response to dxc5 and a3 Black plays Ne4 - how should we proceed?
Ne4 is a a logical response. Black moves his Knight to a more active square and prepares to meet 10.b4 with10…Be7 11.Bb2 Bf6, exchanging a useful piece of White and also bringing Black’s pieces to more active square.
We play Nfd2 - A logical response. White delays b4 and tries to eliminate White’s most active piece, intending to get b4 in more favourable circumstances. Black can either capture the Knight on d2 or try to defend it.
Nxd2 will give White comfortable play - Qxd2 Be6 12 b4 Be7 13 Bb2 Bf6 14 Nc3 - White has a significant advantage. White is exerting pressure on Black’s d5-pawn. If Black moves the pawn with something like …d4, then White can get Ne4, followed by Nc5. The pawn on d5 isn’t too strong at the moment anyway.
In response to dxc5 and a3 Black plays 0-0 - the main line - how should we proceed?
We continue with our standard plan 9… 0-0 10 b4 Bb6 11 Nc3
White doesn’t worry about 11…d4 for the moment as the White Knight can always go to c5 via 12. Na4.
With the White pawn on b4, it is also not easy for Black to play …d4 as the pawn can become brittle after b5. With the Black Bishop not on e7, Bg5 is also a threat in this position.
White is obviously better due to the isolated d-pawn. Black has no counterplay and White can easily finish his development.
This is the kind of position where I really like that White was able to include a2-a3 and b2-b4, forcing the bishop to the vulnerable b6-square, before committing the knight to c3. Now, Nf6-e4 is not a thing, and White is ready to complete his development with Bc1-b2, Ra1-c1, and Nc3-a4. Black is clearly worse.
Black plays c4 before Be7 - how does White proceed?
SNC - It is always possible for Black to play the pawn to c4 in the IQP structures, quite often to release the tension on his central pawns. SSLTR - Of course, gaining space on the queenside and trying to avoid the isolated pawn is sensible enough, but also not equalizing. After the natural
White plays b3
8 … Be7 9 bc4 dc4 10. Na3 SSLTR - The c4-pawn will fall sooner rather than later, and once more White is very happy that he had not yet committed his knight to c3.
- .. b5 9. a4 Na5 10. Nfd2
- .. cb3 10. Qb3 Be7 10. Bg5 - adding pressure to d5 or 10. Ba3 0-0 11. Rc1 SSLTR - White is obviously better thanks to his activity. Black will always be saddled with the weak pawn on d5 and he will struggle to develop his queenside due to the pressure on the b7-pawn.
Black plays cxd4 before Be7 - how does White proceed?
White recaptures with the knight - after 8 Nxd4 Be7 9. Nc3 0-0 10. Be3
White already has a clear strategic advantage due to Black’s Isolated Queen pawn on d5. Black doesn’t have the kind of counter-play that one might associate with having the Isolated Queen pawn.
With Be3, White prepares to control the c5-square, which will become practically useful after10…–11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Na4, Rc1 and Nc5.
We are in the mainline Tarrasch after b4 Bb6 0-0 and now Black plays h6. What are the plans and ideas for White.
We contnue 12. Bb2 Be6 13. Na4 in accordance with White’s typical play in this variation. White’s control over the d4-square is also important, as it roots the Black pawn to d5, enabling White to put pressure on it in a convenient way.
After 13… Ne4 14. Rc1 Rc8 we have the common manouevre Ne1 => Nd3
Preparing to bring the Knight to d3 from where it protects the f2-square and strengthens control over the c5-square. The drawback is that it lessens the control over the d4-square for White. However, with the Black Knight at e4, Black doesn’t really threaten …d4 for the moment.
As such White’s control of the position is quite satisfactory in general.
We are in the mainline Tarrasch after b4 Bb6 0-0 and now Black plays Be6. What are the plans and ideas for White.
White has a fantastic position with all his pieces developed to their optimal spots and good control over the d4-square.
White’s next few moves are likely to be Rc1, Nb5 and Nbd4, tightening the control over the d4-square and blockading the d5-pawn first, which is a typical way to play against the IQP.
We are in the mainline Tarrasch after b4 and now Black plays Be7. What are the plans and ideas for White.
After Be7 Bb2 White takes control of the d4 square and continues building pressure to c5 or d5.
At the moment it looks like Be6 is the only way to defend the pawn.
After Bg4 13. Qb3 Be6 14. Ng5 White has a big strategic advantage and plans Ne6 Rad1 and then e4. It is useful to play Rad1 ad the Rook (f1) may need to protect the f2 pawn - White needs to be wary of counterplay from Qb6 Ng4
We are in the mainline Tarrasch after b4 Bb6 0-0 and now Black plays d4. What are the plans and ideas for White.
White has a fantastic position with all his pieces developed to their optimal spots and good control over the d4-pawn. Black has to decide what do with the B on b6 - if it retreats Bb2 adds to the pressure e.g. Bc7 13 Bb2 Re8 14. Nd4 Nd4 15 Qd4 Qd4 16. Bd4 Re2 17. Rac1
We are in the mainline Tarrasch after b4 Be7 0-0 and now Black plays d4. What are the plans and ideas for White.
White plays Bb2 taking control over the d4-square. White can continue by building pressure towards c5 or d5.
After 12… Bg4 13. Qb3 Be6 14. Ng5 concretely White puts pressure on d5 as Black has no good way to defend it. At the moment it looks like …Be6 is the only way to defend it, but the Bishop can be harassed and capture after Ng5, leading White to a much better position.
White has a rather big strategic advantage. It’ll be useful to know the Correspondence game Sodmski - Nicolas Andreu, 2017 from this position.
White continues with Nxe6, Rad1 and then e4. It is useful to play Rad1 over Rfd1 because White may need to protect the f2-pawn.
White has to be wary of any counterplay Black can mount against the f2-pawn with …Qb6 and …Ng4.
