Queen's Gambit Declined: Marshall Defense, Tan Gambit

An early pawn exchange and quick knight development characterize this chess opening, offering an aggressive and somewhat risky approach for Black.

In this variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, Black opts for the Marshall Defense by playing a less common move, which allows White to gain a central pawn majority. This can be a long-term advantage, but Black aims to counterbalance this by quickly developing the pieces and creating counterplay. The opening is named after the Chinese Grandmaster Tan Zhongyi and can lead to sharp and tactical positions, where both sides need to be precise in their moves.

It is essential for Black to be well-prepared and familiar with the arising middlegame positions, as White can often obtain a slight advantage due to the central pawn majority. Overall, this opening is an interesting and offbeat choice for Black, suitable for players who are looking for a fighting game and are willing to take some risks in the opening.