Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...e6/3. Nc3/3...c5/4. cxd5/4...cxd4

Instead of the usual 4...exd5 Black opts to gambit a pawn for rapid development.

The immediate 5. Qxd4 runs into many tempo gaining moves, the first of which is 5...Nc6, making use of the fact that the pawn is pinned. The line continues 6. Qd1 exd5 7. Qxd5 and black can choose to play 7...Be6 going into the Von Hennig gambit, trading White's queen which was moved three times in the opening already.

The main move is 5. Qa4+, forcing Black to block the black queen's vision of the d5 pawn with a piece. This is usually done with the bishop, since the knight will be better placed on c6. After 5. Qa4+ play continues 5...Be7 6. Qxd4 exd5 7. Qxd5 and Black will use the white queen to quickly develop the minor pieces with tempo.

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 cxd4

When contributing to this Wikibook, please follow the Conventions for organization.

Wikipedia has related information at Tarrasch Defence.

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.