Tarrasch Defense: Symmetrical Variation
The Symmetrical Variation of the Tarrasch arises after 4.e3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nc6, with both sides mirroring their knights and center pawns. White decides whether to release the tension with cxd5 or play a3 and Bd3, while Black chooses between an isolated d5 pawn and a ...dxc4 setup.
- Moves
- 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.e3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nc6
- ECO
- D32
- Engine
- +0.11 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,231 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 49.7%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Bb5 pins the c6 knight and prepares to leave Black with an isolated pawn after cxd4.
- 6.a3 takes b4 from Black's pieces and prepares dxc5 and b4 for queenside space.
- Bd3 and short castling develop quickly while the central tension stays in place.
- If an isolated pawn appears, blockade it with a knight on d4 and trade minor pieces.
Black
- ...dxc4 and ...a6 then ...b5 grab queenside space, as in the third engine line.
- After cxd5 exd5, ...Bd6 and ...O-O give active piece play around the isolated pawn.
- ...cxd4 at the right moment opens the e-file and frees the f8 bishop.
- ...Bg4 pins the f3 knight once the c8 bishop's diagonal is open.
Plans and pawn structure
The center is symmetrical, with both c- and d-pawns in contact. If White trades on d5, the e-file opens and one side may end up with an isolated d-pawn. White aims for a3 and b4 to gain queenside space, or Bd3, O-O and a later e4. Black aims for ...dxc4, ...a6, ...b5 and ...Bb7, or active piece play with ...Bd6 and ...Bg4 around an isolated pawn.
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 +0.11: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.11 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Bb5 cxd4 8.exd4 Bd6
- +0.04 6.a3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 a6 8.Bd3 cxd4
- −0.04 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 a6 8.O-O b5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,231 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.7%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As White, 6.cxd5 is the simplest; follow with Bb5 and Bg5 to pressure Black's pinned pieces. Do not drift with slow moves, or Black takes on c4 and gets ...b5 in with tempo. Keep the d4 square in mind as a home for your knight.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.d4 d5 6.cxd5 exd5.
Questions
What are the moves of the Tarrasch Defense: Symmetrical Variation?
The Tarrasch Defense: Symmetrical Variation starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.e3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nc6. Its ECO code is D32.
Is the Tarrasch Defense: Symmetrical Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.11 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,231 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.7%. A quiet line for players who like symmetrical structures; it demands precise timing of ...dxc4 or cxd5.
What is the main idea of the Tarrasch Defense: Symmetrical Variation?
Both sides mirror their pawns and knights. The fight is about who releases the central tension first and whether an isolated d-pawn appears for either side.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is cxd5, with a3 and Bd3 close behind. 6.cxd5 releases the tension and prepares Bb5 to pin the c6 knight.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.