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QGD Tarrasch Defence 9...c4 [D34]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Bg5 c4:

Zhao Xue- Grabuzova: The pawn advance ...c5-c4 in the main line of the Rubinstein Variation of Tarrasch Defence is gaining popularity these days. Here Black reacted very well to White's solid choice but then lost patience in a good position.

Nyback - Martynov: White's choice of 11. e3 does not promise much but he is still playing on somewhat better positional grounds:

Black's defence must be well-planned - otherwise he will be punished...

9...c4 Tarrasch Defence 11. b3 Qa5 [D34]

Borovikov - Citak: Within a couple of days Citak Selim held two strong GMs (one of whom is a former World Champion, by the way!) in the same line. White is allowed to grab a pawn and he seems to be just a pawn up. However, Black's activity makes the conversion process extremely difficult...

So - Akobian: Wesley So managed to gain a clear advantage here but then spoiled it with inaccurate play.

Sargissian - Halkias: Black's main advocate of the 9...c4 line - Stelios Halkias - showed a rather convincing way to hold the balance against White's approach with Qd1-d2:

Yet White still seems to be able to maintain a small advantage in this line...

9...c4 Tarrasch Defence 11. b3 Qa5 12. Nxc6 bxc6 [D34]

Zhu Chen - Kovalevskaya: Ekaterina Kovalevskaya feels comfortable after 9...c4. Recently she played several games and did not face any real problems. Moreover, in some cases, including this one, her opponents had to fight for equality! The line which has been played by Zhu Chen, still promises White a small edge, but it is very difficult to increase the advantage.

Stefanova - Kovalevskaya Here Black failed to completely solve the problems after 13. Na4:

The correct way, as played in the game Bareev - Grischuk/Wijk aan Zee 2002, is more attractive for Black though White may still hope for some edge.

Sedlak - Gochev Black solved most of his problems in one of the main lines but then some inaccurate moves eventually led to disaster. As to the opening, White seems to be able to maintain a small advantage in this line.

See you next month, Ruslan

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If you have any questions, then please post a message at the 1 d4 d5 Forum, or subscribers can email me at ruslan@chesspublishing.com.