French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System
The Open System of the Tarrasch French is 3...c5, where Black hits d4 immediately and accepts an open center. White can take on d5, develop with Ngf3, or play c3, while Black aims for active pieces and often an isolated d-pawn.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5
- ECO
- C07, C08
- Engine
- +0.21 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,667 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 53.5%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 4.Ngf3 develops first and keeps options of exd5 and Bb5, as the top engine line shows.
- 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bb5+ forces Black to block the check and trades light bishops.
- Aim to give Black an isolated d-pawn and then blockade it with a knight on d4.
- The c3 push supports d4 directly but may leave you with an isolated pawn after trades.
Black
- After 4.Ngf3 Nc6, Black develops quickly and keeps the center tension.
- If White trades on d5, recapture with the e-pawn for an open e-file and active pieces.
- Accept an isolated d-pawn if it means open lines and active pieces.
- ...Qe7+ can interfere with White's development and force awkward moves like Be2.
Plans and pawn structure
In the Open System the center often clears and a single d-pawn remains. If Black ends up with an isolated pawn on d5, White aims to blockade it with a knight on d4 and trade pieces. Black wants active play with ...Nc6, ...Bd6 and ...Re8 before an endgame arrives. If White ends up with the isolated pawn instead, the roles reverse. The structure decides the plans.
Where the engine's main line heads: Symmetrical center: d4 against d5, open e-file. A symmetrical center: d4 against d5 with an open e-file. Neither side has pawn weaknesses, so piece activity decides.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.21: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.21 4.Ngf3 Nc6 5.exd5 exd5 6.Bb5 Qe7+
- +0.12 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.Bxd7+ Qxd7
- −0.05 4.dxc5 Bxc5 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Ngf3 Nf6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,667 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.5%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Süchting Line4.c3 · 574 games
- Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Euwe-Keres Line4.Ngf3 · 465 games
- Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense, Modern Line4.exd5 · rare
How to play against it
As White, develop with 4.Ngf3 and wait for the right moment to take on d5. Avoid trading into lines where Black gets free development and no weak pawns. Aim to blockade any isolated pawn and trade pieces.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5.
Questions
What are the moves of the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System?
The French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System starts 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5. Its ECO code is C07, C08.
Is the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.21 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,667 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.5%. A dynamic choice for Black players who like open lines and active pieces, but it needs good isolated-pawn technique.
What is the main idea of the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System?
Black attacks d4 at once and accepts an open game. The main question is who ends up with an isolated d-pawn and whether it is strong or weak.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Ngf3, with exd5 and dxc5 close behind. 4.Ngf3 develops and waits for Black to commit before White takes on d5.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.