Queen's Gambit Declined: Tartakower Variation
Also known as Tartakower, Tartakower–Makogonov–Bondarevsky, TMB
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 O-O 6.Nf3 h6 7.Bh4 b6
A sound, respected way to meet the Queen's Gambit Declined. After the ...h6 ...b6 set-up, Black fianchettoes the light-squared bishop to b7, freeing the cramped queenside and pressing on White's centre to reach a solid, balanced game.
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What it does
The Tartakower solves the QGD's oldest headache: the light-squared bishop, often shut in behind its own pawns on e6 and d5. Black plays ...h6 to question the pinning bishop, then ...b6 and ...Bb7, developing that bishop on the long diagonal where it eyes e4 and supports the d5-pawn. After White releases the tension with cxd5, Black recaptures with the knight, trades a pair of pieces, and emerges with a harmonious, fully developed position rather than a passive one.
When to use it
Choose the Tartakower when you face 1.d4 and want a classical, principled defence that equalises without memorising sharp gambit lines. It suits players who enjoy clear plans and solid structures over wild tactics, and who are happy to defend a slightly restrained position for a move or two before untangling. It is a fine practical weapon at club and tournament level – trusted by world champions including Spassky and Kasparov – and rewards understanding of pawn structures more than rote opening preparation.
Why it works
In the QGD Black is solid but a touch passive, and the c8-bishop is the worst piece. Fianchettoing it on b7 activates exactly that piece, pointing it at White's centre and kingside. The ...h6/...Bh4 insertion lets Black trade off White's dark-squared bishop, relieving the pin and the cramp. Once White plays cxd5 and pieces come off, Black's structure is sound, the b7-bishop is excellent and the central squares are covered – a textbook case of equalising by good piece placement.
Key ideas
- ...h6 questions the bishop before committing elsewhere
- ...b6 and ...Bb7 free the problem light-squared bishop
- The b7-bishop eyes e4 and supports a knight on d5
- Trading dark-squared bishops eases Black's cramp
- After cxd5, recapture ...Nxd5 to centralise the knight
- Aim for the freeing breaks ...c5 or ...dxc4 later
Watch out
A common error is rushing ...b6 before ...h6 and ...O-O are in; then White can meet the fianchetto with an early Qb3 or Bb5 hitting loose points. Note too that recapturing ...exd5 too early, instead of ...Nxd5, can leave the c8-bishop entombed again, undoing the variation's whole idea.