C06

French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation

Key moves: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 Nc6

The Closed Tarrasch features a blocked centre where both sides have clear plans — White builds on the kingside while Black targets the d4 pawn and seeks queenside expansion.

History & Notable Players

A main line that has been tested extensively at the highest levels of chess.

Best Games

Adams,Mi vs Shirov,A1/2-1/2
WCh Candidates s/f • 2007★ Notable
Fedorchuk, Sergey A vs Radjabov, Teimour0-1
Wch U18 • 1999★ Notable
Grischuk, Alexander vs Szymanski, Marcin1-0
Wch U16 • 1998★ Notable
Vajda, Levente vs Kasimdzhanov, Rustam1/2-1/2
Wch U20 • 1997★ Notable
Mamedov, Rauf vs Radjabov, Teimour1/2-1/2
Wch U10 • 1997★ Notable
Navara, David vs Berkes, Ferenc1-0
Wch U12 • 1997★ Notable
Navara, David vs Schneider, Dmitry1/2-1/2
Wch U12 • 1996★ Notable
Grischuk, Alexander vs Grigutavicius, Dainius1-0
Wch U14 Disney • 1996★ Notable
Navara, David vs Rybansky, Daniel1-0
Wch U10 • 1994★ Notable
Chanda, Sandipan vs Grischuk, Alexander1/2-1/2
Wch U10 • 1993★ Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Gdanski, Jacek1/2-1/2
Wch U20 • 1988★ Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1986★ Notable
Ye Jiangchuan vs Beliavsky, Alexander G0-1
WchT • 1985★ Notable
Kuczynski, Robert vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Wch U20 • 1985★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
chess.com SpeedChess 2023 • 2023
Navara,D vs Michiels,B1-0
77th Tata Steel GpB • 2015
Shirov,A vs Kasimdzhanov,R1/2-1/2
World Blitz • 2007
Adams,Mi vs Gurevich,M1-0
37th Olympiad • 2006
Navara,D vs Stellwagen,D1-0
Corus B • 2006
Navara,D vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
ECh-u20 • 2000

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