Queen's Gambit Declined · D06
Marshall Defense, Tan Gambit
1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nf6 3. cxd5 c6
An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as White's avenue and the d-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 2. c4 Challenges the pawn on d5 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Queen's Gambit: development and initiative over material.
- 2... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4. It also props up the d5 pawn. Theory calls this the Marshall Defense.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 200 in the Queen's Gambit Declined. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.