By the way, according to something I saw, a forthcoming Chessable course by Jorden van Foreest will advocate "classical lines" (no Dubov) versus g3, but via 5...Nf6 (no 5...Nc6 6. dc, but allowing the Bg5 pin).

I think it's too bad that Markovich (Mark Morss) is no longer around to see all this renewed interest in the Tarrasch.

FreeRepublic wrote on 10/08/22 at 18:05:50:


The Dubov variation is covered by GM Erwin L'ami at Chessable for only $12.99. Reviews have been favorable but a frequent comment is that he focus's on the Dubov only, not providing a complete repetoire. So this might be  a good match.

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. dc5 Bc5 10. Na4 Be7 11. Be3. This important position has been addressed by many authors. I'd have to do more research before being confident in this line.

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 cd4 8. Nd4 Bc5. This is the Dubov variation that seems to be doing well enough for Black.

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 c4 An early ...c4 was mentioned at ChessPublishing.
8. O-O Be7 9. Ne5 O-O. "Now the question is whether White has better than transposing to the main line with 10.Bg5. It turns out he does."
10. b3 cb3 11. ab3 Nb4!? "This is also a bit better for White, but Black's position is very solid here."
It seems to me that Black has several eleventh moves that he can consider.

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. dc5 d4 7. Na4 Bc5 8. Nc5 Qa5ch has been addressed by several authors. I think it is as dangerous as the main line with 6.g3.

RoleyPoley wrote on 10/07/22 at 21:06:55:


I went to Chessgames.com and counted results for 2022. White won three, eight drawn, Black won four. White side-stepped with 7.a3 resulting in two draws.

This is available as an electronic book at ForwardChess.com

I reviewed all the comments on this thread. There were many excellent comments. I don't think the Tarrasch is Black's best answer in the Queen's Gambit. Both main lines and side lines can prove dangerous. That said, in practice the line can be interesting and challenging for both players. A real game of chess can ensue.

This book looks to be very good. I am surprised to see the amount of attention given to lines where White plays Nf3 before playing Nc3. I was under the impression that the only way to play the Tarrasch as Black was after the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5. If Kotronias is right, then the Tarrasch becomes a more complete solution for Black.

My impression is that with best play Black ends up a little worse in the ending. This could be a 4 vs 3 rook ending, two bishops vs. knight and bishop, or something else.

AOC suggested that with the Tarrasch isolated queen pawn, Black was gambiting half a pawn. I've gone through some theory at ChessPublishing, etc. Sometimes Black has to hold endings where is about half a pawn down (SF .4 or so).

GM Renato Quintillano presents the Dubov variation, 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cd5 ed5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 cd4!? 8. Nd4 Bc5!? as a rebirth of the Tarrasch. I sometimes discount an author's optimism a little. However current trends suggests he may be right.

Personally, I still find the old lines to be interesting as well. Nor should side lines be ignored. 6. dxc5!? has received theoretical attention. I recently played my first Tarrasch in decades in a speed game. After 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5!? 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. dc5 d4 both players were on their own. Not only that, but I'm not sure that theory is conclusive in this line.

Ultimately, I think many of us are swayed by results. Victory will whitewash a multitude of theoretical blemishes. I can certainly recommend playing the Tarrasch in a few speed games to see if it's right for you. I intend to buy Kotronias' book as well.

Tauromachie wrote on 12/31/19 at 14:45:05:


Thanks and please do write a review.  The amateur reviews are often more informative than the GM ones — especially for other amateurs.

Looks like a very thorough work by GM Kotronias, however White has excellent results after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.dxc5. I see this in the table of contents is addressed by variation M4b6 in part IIIa, however I don't own the book.

Would love to hear anything on how Kotronias handles the above line. White scores exceptionally well in my database, both at the Grandmaster level but also at the amateur level.