Fight 1.d4 with the Tarrasch!: A Complete Black Repertoire vs. 1.d4

Product Description

A Complete Fighting Repertoire against 1.d4!

Do you like active piece play? Fighting for the initiative from move one? The Tarrasch Defense just may be what you are looking for. Its advantages include:

(1) It can be played against pretty much anything: 1.Nf3, 1.c4, 1.g3, 1.d4. Play 1…e6, 2…d5 and 3…c5 and you are there!

(2) It leads most of the time to a typical IQP pawn structure, and it is difficult for the opponent to shape the game into another course.

(3) Black’s pieces naturally enjoy open lines and active posts so it’s easy to play the opening moves quickly and successfully!

This book is exceptional! Tarrasch exponents have been blessed in the past years with some excellent works, and this book continues this happy trend. It is both a detailed reference manual and a source of inspiration. For example, in the main line 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.dxc5, I was intrigued to see such interesting analysis of the unusual gambit line 9…d4 as well as the main line 9…Bxc5. I was also very impressed by the work that Vassilios put into the awkward sidelines such as 3.Nf3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5, discovering a wealth of active possibilities in quiet-looking positions. I am certain that this book will become an essential tool both for experienced Tarrasch players and future aficionados! – Grandmaster Matthew Sadler in his Foreword

Greek grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias is well-known for his excellent analytical work and writing style which presents the material in a way that is comprehensive and easy to understand. In this book – his first for Russell Enterprises – he offers a thorough system for Black against 1.d4. That includes responses to other systems such as the Colle, Trompowsky, London, etc. So, are you ready to stake your claim as Black, fighting from the first move? The Tarrasch may be just what you are looking for!

About the Author

Greek grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias is well-known for his excellent analytical work and writing style which presents the material in a way that is comprehensive and easy to understand. His books on the King’s Indian are well respected for their clarity of explanation, without sacrificing depth or accuracy.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Tarrasch Repertoire: Part II (b)

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 [D32]

Systems with an early e3

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5

Time has come to deal with the systems involving an early e2-e3, which are the exclusive subject of Part II(b).

4.e3!?

This is a way to play for an advantage with a minimum of risk. White will try to saddle us with a weakness on d5 later on; for the moment he concentrates on sound development.

4…Nf6

[Diagram]

This is an important position for our repertoire. There are several continuations for White here that we will examine methodically. Putting aside the feeble 5.dxc5?! which will (at best) transpose to positions examined subsequently after the obvious 5…Bxc5=, White has the following moves at his disposal: (A) 5.Nbd2?!, (B) 5.Bd3, (C) 5.a3, (D) 5.cxd5 and (M) 5.Nc3.

5.Nc3 obeys to the dictum “Knights before bishops” and was the main line in the classification I had made in my original notes. I kept it as our main line, but 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bb5+!? is also very interesting for positional reasons that will be explained in due course. But let us check White’s fifth move options one by one, starting from those that are less dangerous for us:

(A) 5.Nbd2?!

[Diagram]

This is a move that cannot be recommended for White. If we realize that this position can arise from the Slav Defense with White on the move and that Black is still fine, then it is obvious that there is something wrong with it. I think it is most logical to take now on d4 in order to saddle White with an isolani, as the Nd2 is not particularly well placed for it: After 5…cxd4! White has the following possibilities: (A1) 6.Nxd4 and (A2) 6.exd4.

(A1) After 6.N