Chess opening · ECO D32
Tarrasch Defense
The Tarrasch Defense starts 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5. It ranks #150 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.
Move by move
- 1. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
- 1... d5Black pushes the d-pawn two squares to d5, staking a claim in the center.
- 2. c4White pushes the c-pawn two squares to c4.
- 2... e6Black advances the e-pawn to e6.
- 3. Nc3White develops the queenside knight to c3.
- 3... c5Black pushes the c-pawn two squares to c5.
What players choose next, by rating
The three most common White moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Among players rated 1200–1399, the most popular next move is e3; among players rated 2000 and up, it is cxd5.
| Rating | Most common | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200–1399 | e3 28% | Nf3 28% | cxd5 26% |
| 1400–1599 | Nf3 33% | e3 25% | cxd5 24% |
| 1600–1799 | cxd5 32% | e3 24% | Nf3 23% |
| 1800–1999 | cxd5 48% | e3 21% | Nf3 20% |
| 2000 and up | cxd5 65% | Nf3 21% | e3 15% |
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