Exercise 6.1Find the move
Black to move
White has developed normally. Play Black's Tartakower move that questions the bishop.
6
A Black Repertoire: Scandinavian and QGD · Kapilash Chess Academy
The Queen's Gambit Declined: Tartakower
The main line with ...h6 and ...b6
In this lesson you will learn
- The move order of the QGD
- Why ...h6 and ...b6 (the Tartakower Variation)
- The plan with ...♗b7 and ...c5
- Hanging pawns and how Black uses them
Every board on this page is live. Move the pieces by tapping or dragging, click any move in the lines to see that position, and press ↺ to start again.
6.1 Holding d5
In the QGD Black defends d5 with ...e6 and ...♘f6 and develops the dark-squared bishop to e7. The light-squared bishop is the problem piece: it is shut in by ...e6. In the Tartakower Variation Black plays ...h6 (asking the bishop on g5 to decide) and ...b6, developing the bishop to b7.
Diagram 6.1White to move
Example 6.1 · The Tartakower
Black's setup is complete: ...h6 and ...b6 prepare ...♗b7.
In the first line Black gets hanging pawns on c5 and d5 and two active bishops. In the second line Black exchanges on c4 and breaks with ...c5, freeing the position. The ...c5 break is Black's key idea in almost every QGD.
Diagram 6.2White to move
Example 6.2 · Fischer–Spassky structure
The famous position from the sixth game of Fischer–Spassky, 1972.
Black has hanging pawns on c5 and d5. They control many central squares, but Black must defend them carefully with ...♖a7 and ...♘d7. Knowing the plans for both sides helps you play these positions confidently.
Remember
- QGD: ...e6, ...♘f6, ...♗e7 and castle.
- Tartakower: ...h6 and ...b6, then ...♗b7.
- The key break is ...c5.
- Hanging pawns on c5 and d5 are dynamic but need care.
Exercises · Lesson 6
Each exercise comes from a position in this repertoire. Find the best move, then play it on the board.
Exercise 6.2Find the move
Black to move
Black has played ...b6. Complete the plan.
Exercise 6.3Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 16.♕xc5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 6.4Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 15.♕xc5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 6.5Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 14.♖xc5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 6.6Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 12.dxc5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 6.7Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 13.dxc5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 6.8Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 15.♖xc5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 6.9Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 16.♖xc5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 6.10Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 15.♖xc5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 6.11Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 13.e4. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 6.12Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 14.♘h4. How does Black punish it?