Tarrasch Defense: Two Knights Variation: what should White play?

In the Tarrasch Defense: Two Knights Variation, White's most precise continuation according to engine evaluation is dxc5 (+0.29), which liquidates the central tension immediately. While played in 24.5% of recorded games (118K recorded) with White scoring 51.3%, it directly challenges Black's pawn structure and questions the central stability of d5.

Immediate Resolution with dxc5

Selecting dxc5 forces Black to address the unprotected pawn immediately or push forward in the center. An illustrative continuation demonstrating the tactical sequence is dxc5 d4 Na4 Bxc5 Nxc5 Qa5+, where Black uses an active queen check on a5 to regain the minor piece after White's knight temporarily occupies c5.

The Classical Fianchetto with g3

The most popular option in practice is the solid g3, selected in 37.4% of games (180K recorded) with an evaluation of +0.21 and a 51.4% score for White. This move prepares to place the light-squared bishop on the long diagonal to increase pressure against the d5 point. A standard continuation runs g3 Nf6 Bg2 cxd4 Nxd4 Bc5, leading to symmetrical central play where White keeps an active knight on d4.

Alternative Approaches

White also frequently chooses e3, appearing in 24.3% of games (117K recorded) with an evaluation of +0.11 and a 50.8% score, often leading to e3 cxd4 exd4 Nf6 Bb5 Bd6. Less common alternatives include the aggressive Bg5 (13.3% of games, 64K recorded, evaluated at -0.04), which can lead to Bg5 Be7 Bxe7 Ngxe7 dxc5 d4, and the cautious a3 (0.6% of games, 2.8K recorded, evaluated at +0.01), which often continues a3 Nf6 g3 c4 Bg2 Be7.