Classical Variation, Rubinstein Variation

The Rubinstein Variation of the Classical French is 7. Qd2, named after Akiba Rubinstein and also played by Siegbert Tarrasch. It is not to be confused with the better-known Rubinstein Variation, 3...dxe4. Instead of committing at once to 7. f4, White develops the queen and prepares O-O-O. Since Black's king rarely fares well on the queenside, the game can turn into a race of opposite-side pawn storms. In practice 8. f4 and 9. Nf3 often transpose to the 7. f4 main line. The usual replies are 7...a6, 7...c5 and 7...O-O, and the engine rates the position as roughly balanced.