Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense

The Semi-Tarrasch Defense is 4...c5 after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3, hitting d4 while the f6 knight stands ready to recapture on d5. White can open the center with cxd5 and e4, while Black wants quick development and to avoid a lasting isolated pawn.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5
ECO
D40, D41
Engine
+0.23 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,967 games in our lichess sample
White scores
52.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 5.cxd5 is the top choice; if Black plays ...cxd4, Qxd4 and e4 give White a big, active center.
  • After ...Nxd5, the e4 push gains time on the knight, or e3 with Bd3 keeps a calmer setup.
  • 5.e3 with Bb5 after the exchanges pins the c6 knight and keeps pressure on d5.
  • 5.Bg5 is sharper; Black's ...cxd4 and ...Qb6 then hit b2, so White must know the gambit lines.

Black

  • Meet cxd5 with ...Nxd5, the classic Semi-Tarrasch recapture that avoids an isolated d-pawn.
  • ...cxd4 followed by ...Nc6 develops with tempo when White's queen recaptures on d4.
  • ...Nc6, ...Be7 and ...O-O complete development; ...b6 and a bishop on b7 can follow to hit e4.
  • Against Bg5, ...Qb6 targets the b2 pawn that the c1 bishop no longer protects.

Plans and pawn structure

The center opens early, so development and timing matter most. White wants e4 and active pieces, often with Bb5 or Bd3 and quick castling. Black recaptures on d5 with the knight to keep a healthy pawn structure, then develops with ...Nc6, ...Be7 and ...O-O. If White gets pawns on d4 and e4, Black attacks them with ...cxd4, ...b6 and a bishop on b7. In lines with ...exd5, Black ends up with an isolated pawn and must play actively.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.23: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.23 5.cxd5 cxd4 6.Qxd4 exd5 7.e4 Nc6
  2. +0.17 5.e3 Nc6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Bb5 cxd4
  3. 0.00 5.Bg5 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Qb6 7.Bxf6 gxf6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,967 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.2%.

under 120046.8%
1200–159951.5%
1600–199952.8%
2000 and up52.2%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Endgame Variation5.cxd5 · rare

How to play against it

As White, take on d5 with 5.cxd5 and prepare e4. Do not play slowly with e3 and Be2, which lets Black finish development for free. As Black, recapture on d5 with the knight when you can and hit White's center with ...cxd4 and ...Nc6.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 c5 5.e3 Nc6 6.a3 cxd4 7.exd4 Bd6; 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.d4 e6; 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.cxd5.

Questions

What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense?

The Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5. Its ECO code is D40, D41.

Is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.23 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,967 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.2%. A sound, open choice for Black; it suits players who like piece play and do not mind facing a broad White center.

What is the main idea of the Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense?

Black hits d4 with ...c5 and plans to recapture on d5 with the knight, keeping a healthy pawn structure. White opens the game with cxd5 and aims for e4 and a big center.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is cxd5, with e3 and Bg5 close behind. 5.cxd5 opens the center first, so that e4 can follow with gain of time.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.