Tarrasch Repertoire: Part II (b) 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 [D32] Systems with an early e3 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 Time has come to deal with the systems involving an early e2-e3, which are the exclusive subject of Part II(b). 4.
e3!? This is a way to play for an advantage with a minimum of risk. White will try to saddle us with a weakness on d5 later on; for the moment he concentrates on sound development. 4.Nf6 [Diagram] This is an important position for our repertoire. There are several continuations for White here that we will examine methodically. Putting aside the feeble 5.dxc5?! which will (at best) transpose to positions examined subsequently after the obvious 5.Bxc5=, White has the following moves at his disposal: (A) 5.
Nbd2?!, (B) 5.Bd3, (C) 5.a3, (D) 5.cxd5 and (M) 5.Nc3. 5.Nc3 obeys to the dictum "Knights before bishops" and was the main line in the classification I had made in my original notes. I kept it as our main line, but 5.
cxd5 exd5 6.Bb5+!? is also very interesting for positional reasons that will be explained in due course. But let us check White's fifth move options one by one, starting from those that are less dangerous for us: (A) 5.Nbd2?! [Diagram] This is a move that cannot be recommended for White. If we realize that this position can arise from the Slav Defense with White on the move and that Black is still fine, then it is obvious that there is something wrong with it. I think it is most logical to take now on d4 in order to saddle White with an isolani, as the Nd2 is not particularly well placed for it: After 5.cxd4! White has the following possibilities: (A1) 6.Nxd4 and (A2) 6.
exd4. (A1) After 6.Nxd4, trying to avoid the isolani and play a calm symmetrical position, Black should play 6.e5! Then, the forcing sequence 7.N4f3 e4 8.Nd4 [Diagram] yields a dynamic position, when I like 8.Bc5!? most, preparing to bring the king to safety and only then start active operations. Also possible is Gareyev's 8.
Nc6, but Black has to be content with a draw arising after 9.Qa4! (9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.Bb5+ Bd7t was excellent for Black in Costigan-Gareyev, chess.com 2017) 9.Bd7 10.cxd5! Nb4 11.
Bb5 Nbxd5 12.0-0 a6 13.Bxd7+ Qxd7 14.Qxd7+ Kxd7 15.Rd1 Rc8 16.Ne2 (16.N4b3 Ke6 17.Nd4+ Kd7= is the same) 16.
Ke6 17.Nd4+ =. If Black chooses 8.Bc5!? the position is not as easy for White as in the above variation; in fact we can already aspire to a complicated middlegame with good chances of ultimate success:.