Queen's Gambit Declined: Tartakower Defense

What Is The Tartakower Defense?

The problem piece of the Queen's Gambit Declined is the c8 bishop, buried behind its own pawns. 7...b6 fixes that directly. The Tartakower fianchettoes the problem bishop to b7, turning the QGD's worst piece into its best while keeping the center rock solid. White's critical try is 8.cxd5: recapture with the knight and the b7 bishop breathes at once, recapture with the pawn and you accept a target on d5 in exchange for central space.

Most main lines head for hanging pawns on c5 and d5, and those pawns decide the game. Pushed with tempo, the ...d4 break rips open the long diagonal for the b7 bishop; blockaded, they become targets. Play for activity: keep pieces on the board and strike in the center before White doubles on the c-file.

How Do You Play Against The Queen's Gambit Declined: Tartakower Defense?

39% take on d5 with 8.cxd5, on a small sample so read it lightly. Black has played ...b6 to fianchetto the problem bishop, which is the most respected solution to the Queen's Gambit Declined's oldest difficulty.

Once that bishop reaches b7 the defence is genuinely comfortable, so act before it gets there rather than after. Taking on d5 fixes the structure while the bishop is still at home, and Bd3 with Qc2 aims at the kingside where Black has spent moves on the other wing. If you let Black complete the setup unhindered, the position is close to equal and the winning chances belong to whoever plays the better middlegame.

How Does Play Continue From Here?

Move	Share		Games
cxd5	39%		23
Bd3	20%		12
Be2	15%		9
Rc1	10%		6