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This opening combines the Queen's Gambit with elements of the English and Reti openings, in order to accentuate pressure on Black's Q4 (d5). It needs delicate handling by White, as a compromise must be made between the demands of development and the aims of positional play. Although an old opening, Tartakower played it in a 1929 Barcelona tournament and then named it after the region. Its adoption is a combined White/Black effort, often transposed in. |
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| Usually, Black initially replies 1..Kt-KB3 (an Indian Defence) to White's 1.P-Q4 before developing a defence towards the centre (Black's usual reply 3.P-Q4 is shown, left), eventually leaving White as the only player to form a fianchetto (eg. side var. 8wb, right). White's P-QB4 is also an important element. | ||
| Begin or Clear or Groups or see move: 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 to 3 g3 | |
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1. P-Q4...Kt-KB3 White aims to eventually create a pawn centre with pawns at Q4 and K4, coupled with pressure on the queen's side using the QB file. Black replies with the idea of contesting the centre by more indirect means than straightforward pawn play. 2. P-QB4...P-K3 White immediately advances his QBP (in a move similar to the Queen's Gambit opening, except that it is unopposed here). Black advances his KP one square so as to free his KB for potential use against White's QKt (which White will develop to support a future P-K4). |
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