The Tarrasch is an active defence against 1.d4, but most of the positions are purely technical- active piece play vs. an isolated QP. Surely enough not what one should play without some thorough preparation.
Maybe the obscure Schara gambit (4.cd5 cd4) is worth trying. According to some opening experts the position is not clear- but then this is a ton of theory and variation memorizing- I do not like tis sort of chess at all, with either colour.
In tournament players circles it is better known as the "TRASH" defense
Is that because White players consider it annoying or do they not respect it?
If Kasparov played it, it can't be too bad...
yeah, that is cutting it a little close...
Spassky beat Petrosian of all people with this defense in their 1969 World CH Match. If you don't mind the IQP and want fast development you might as well try the TD. GOOD LUCK!
Tarrasch doesn't seem so bad... I usually play Slav myself...
the tarrasch is playable and sound. the big plus (to me at least) is that it's hard for white to avoid it.
having said this, i would advise against taking it up the night before a tournament. the typical structure involves an isolated queen's pawn, and is a structure that should be practised for a while before you get the knack of it.
the idea of using 1...e6 to meet both d4 and e4 is an interesting one, and one that i have thought about. another possibility is following up with 2...c5 to go into either a sicilian or a modern benoni, so you can layer transpositions into a variety of opening structures with 1...e6. but, my question would be why? just because a move is transpositional, it's not reason to go for it per say.
just play for the structures you are comfortable with and whose plans you are well-acquainted, is my advice.
if you want to get into the tarrasch, i recommend meeting 1.d4 by aagard and lund. it provides a whole repertoire for black against everything apart from 1.e4 (it covers rare tries too like the grob etc.), and the coverage is decent with a few options for you to choose from. this is one of the advantages of choosing the tarrasch—you drag white onto your turf.
The Tarrasch is certainly viable - White can earn a small but persistent edge IF he is up on the latest theory, but Black is still okay. At lower levels there is much to be said for easy development and early opportunities to skirmish.
But you can't do it justice at the last minute. Play your old main lines, stick with the familiar. Then if you want to switch to the Tarrasch, start learning and playing it in all your games. Blitz, rapid, online, casual, correspondence, turn-based, everything. Immersion is the best way to learn a new opening. After a good bit of this, you will have some experience playing the positions and won't be shocked by any normal White plans.
That's what I did when I was learning the Queen's Gambit. I studied all the defences:Slav, Marshall, Semi-Slav, Marshall-Slav, Caro Kan, That-Move-That-I-Think-Was-Called-Buddhafest-Or-Something and so on.
I played it in every single match I participated in until I could play it in blitz due to my automatic response to any move black makes.
A new book about the Tarrasch is soon to be published by Quality Chess, armed with a shitload of material- so stay tuned... 
Tarrasch defense gives black IQP straight out of the opening. which I wouldn't like, but gives black good chances of being active.
if you have the 'isolated pawn-phobia' then avoid it. if not then no big deal
Thanks to everyone who put in their input. I had actually been looking into the Tarrasch Defense for a few weeks (still not long enough to fully understand it, however, playing in the U1400 doesn't always require the deepest theory knowledge in any given line).
I was white tonight so no use of the TD. You can view my game in my blog: http://blog.chess.com/dblackw2/nc-class-championship-round-1
I don't like isolated pawns, but I have seen an IQP dominating the centre with the help of just one knight in one memorable game. Black was forced to launch an attack on the wing(kingside), which White defended smoothly and then forced the attacking pieces back with pawns. Although he made a minor blunder, he recovered and won the game.
Personally, I find that squares close to IQPs make good outposts for knights, and offer temporary shelter from retreating bishops(I tend to use them as hit and runners or pawn structure spoilers during the early stages of the middle game/the late stages of the opening).
Tomorrow I will be playing in the first round of the NC Class Championship and have been looking into the Tarrasch Defense as a reply to d4. I play the French against e4 so I figured I could still come out with e6 to d4 and then either go into the French if my opponent plays e4 or the Tarrasch if he continues with c4.
I just wanted some thoughts or ideas on the Tarrasch defense. What are some ideas behind the moves and what type of endgames people typically get into (i.e., rook and minor piece, queen and rook, etc). I already know about the IQP.
Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.
I have used the King's Indian Defense in the past but just wanted to try something a little different that would fit more into my style.