Main line: 9.Bg5 cxd4 is variation 1 of 6 in the Tarrasch Defence course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO D34). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 …. White fianchettoes the bishop on g2 and pins the f6 knight. Black trades on d4, chases the bishop with ...h6 and puts a rook on e8. The bishop goes back to f8, and Black's pieces defend d5 well. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre and opens the c1 bishop.
1... d5 – Black claims an equal share of the centre.
2. c4 – The Queen's Gambit. The c-pawn attacks d5.
2... e6 – Black supports d5 with a pawn.
3. Nc3 – White develops and adds a third attacker to d5.
3... c5 – The Tarrasch Defence. Black hits d4 at once and fights for the centre with pawns.
4. cxd5 – The main move. White gives Black an isolated pawn on d5.
4... exd5 – Black takes back with the e-pawn. The c8 bishop now has an open diagonal.
5. Nf3 – White develops and controls the d4 and e5 squares.
5... Nc6 – Black develops and adds pressure on d4.
6. g3 – The Rubinstein System. The bishop goes to g2 and aims straight at d5.
6... Nf6 – Black develops and defends d5 again.
7. Bg2 – The bishop takes the long diagonal toward d5.
7... Be7 – Black develops and gets ready to castle.
8. O-O – White castles.
8... O-O – Black castles too. Now White chooses a plan.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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