Rubinstein Variation of the French Defense (C10) ⎸Chess Openings

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Rubinstein French is a common way to challenge white after 3. Nc3 (the Classical French). It avoids the thematic blocked central position which is often what the middlegame evolves around.

French Defense – Rubinstein Variation (C10)

Learn the basics of the French Defense, common variations & ideas for both sides in this introductory video: youtu.be/pig559oP5OM

The Exchange French: youtu.be/YlA3heOMMN0
The Tarrasch French: youtu.be/IGS68T5FmvM
The Winawer French: youtu.be/NWFL6b38BUQ

The Rubinstein Variation starts after the moves:

1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 dxe4 With this move black is resolving the central tension and avoiding all the common problems in the French Defense – the bad c8 bishop (which is easily deployed in this line), having to play a pawn break (c5, f6 or both) and handing white space and the initiative on the kingside. On the other hand, this variation doesn’t offer black as many attacking chances and aggressive play.

Black can continue in three most common ways:

4... Nd7 Blackburne Defense
4... Bd7 (5. Nf3 Bc6) Fort Knox Variation
4... Nf6

To master the Rubinstein French study these players:

Georg Meier, Wesley So, Varuzhan Akobian. Their games cover all the modern approaches to the opening. When looking at games don’t use an engine. Make sure you try to think of middle game plans yourself. An engine can give you the exact evaluation and a move, but it won’t explain its purpose! Try to find your own ideas and then try to refute them. If you can’t, turn on an engine then. It will show you where you went wrong (or that you are the next Bobby Fischer).