Markovich wrote on 04/26/11 at 02:42:42:

I think this time its you...

trw wrote on 04/21/11 at 16:42:16:

trw wrote on 04/24/11 at 03:35:12:



So, in the Philadelphia Open this past weekend I only faced d4 once as black and played my first non-blitz Tarrasch Defense...AND got this line with 6. dxc5...go figure.

See below, but go easy...LOL.  We were only in the U1500 section and my rating just recently went to the upper 1500's (dropped some after this tournament).

1. d4   d5
2. c4   e6
3. Nc3  c5
4. Nf3  Nc6
5. cxd5 exd5
6. dxc5 d4
7. Ne4  Bf5
8. Qc2  Qd5
9. Nfd2 Be7
10. f3  Nf6
11. Qb3 Qxb3
12. Nxf6+ Bxf6
13. Nxb3 Nb4
14. Kf2 Nc2
15. Rb1 Nb4
16. Ra1 Nc2
17. Rb1 Na3
18. Ra1 Nc2
19. Rb1 Na3
20. Ra1 Nc4
21. Nd2 Ne3
22. Nb3 Nc4
23. Nd2 Ne3
24. Nb3 O-O
25. Bxe3 dxe3+
26. Kxe3 Bxb2
27. Rd1 Ba3
28. Kf2 Rad8
29. Rxd8 Rxd8
30. e4  Be6
31. Bb5 Bxb3
32. axb3 Bxc5+
33. Kg3 Kf8
34. Bc4 a6
35. Bd5 b6
36. h4  Ke7
37. Kf4 a5
38. g4  b5
39. Bc6 Rd3
40. Bxb5 Rxb3
41. Bc6 Ra3
42. e5  a4
43. Rd1 Rc3
44. Ke4 a3
45. f4  Bb6
46. Rd7+ Kf8
47. Bd5

Opponent offered a draw and I accepted.  Was an interesting game.

I haven't analyzed with a computer or that much on my own yet, but here are some of my thoughts:

- Talking to my opponent after the game, he considers c5 a bad move...guess because of the isolated    pawn stigma.  Also interesting was a comment I heard from a reasonably well known US GM talking to another player (assuming who was also in the open section) about how that player needs to avoid getting isolated pawns in his games...of course if they are just weak with no counter-balanced strengths this would be good advice.

- I think Na4 is more normal versus Ne4?   

- Most games I found on a quick search go for 7...Bxc5 8. Nxc5 Qa5+ 9. Bd2 Qxc5, but after Rc1 and some piece exchanges I figure I got my pawn back but the isolani on d4 pawn loses some strength?  Apparently still best if strong players are going for it though.

- 8. Qc2?  Didn't seem good, just Ng3 I figured.

- 10. f3...I was expecting g3 and Bg2.

- 11. Qb3 seemed like a strong move.  Threatening removing the guard on my queen.

- I accidentally repeated moves 3 times trying to gain some time back on the clock but my opponent didn't claim the draw until after we made another move or two so appeal for draw was denied.

- At move 33/34 I thought I had some advantage in the endgame as it would be easier to create a passed pawn on the queenside, but maybe not really.

- 38...b5 maybe not so good after Ra1, but I thought the way the game went was better for me.

- 41...Ra3.  I looked at blocking the d-file with Rd3 but was worried about white blockading my a pawn and then still being able to push on the kingside.

- after 44 Ke4, Black must watch out for mates

- 46...Kf8, in time pressure again.  I think Ke8 forces draw as white has no useful discoveries.

- after 47. Bd5, I think Rc7 was my best play but still a draw at best for Black.  Black also has some mating ideas, but nothing seems to work with Re3 check.  My opponent offered a draw and having not much time and unable to find a clear way to push the a-pawn, I accepted.

Hope you enjoyed this Tarrasch Defense!

trw wrote on 04/23/11 at 04:55:08:


Did I offend?  That wasn't my intention, dear chessfriend.  I am sorry if I did.

I'm afraid you are the one who is confused. From the link:

Ametanoitos wrote on 05/06/10 at 09:38:47:


And I recall Ametanoitos doing a lot of work to find out how Black should meet this.

trw wrote on 04/22/11 at 18:20:04:

That's why I linked to page 13 ...

MNb wrote on 04/21/11 at 19:37:43:


thank you for the link. I have read the first 12(!) of 28 pages and still not found this line discussed after 6... Bxc5 do you know what page that discussion begins on?

EDIT: nevermind, I finally found the page as I last read my way to page 16 

Markovich wrote on 04/20/11 at 18:42:52:


What about instead 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. dxc5 now where d4 7. Na4 b5 8. cxb6 axb6 9. e3 looks decent for white. (obviously there is 6... Bxc5 7. Qxd5 Qb6 8. e3 Nf6 but here white cannot be worse surely.)

Well of course, 8...Nf6 must precede ...Ne4.  You may be thinking of 9.Nf3 Ne4!, a line analyzed by Tarrasch in Die Verteidigung des Damengambits.  There is various material on this, but mostly in the form of analysis, since the line doesn't get played too much.  It would be once in a blue moon that you had to face this.  It's red meat to any Black who can play in gambit fashion.

MNb wrote on 04/20/11 at 16:09:47:



No offense taken...in fact, I would willingly listen to that song anytime.