Theoria
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French Defense

Rubinstein Variation, Maric Variation

C10offbeat

  1. 1.e4e6
  2. 2.d4d5
  3. 3.Nc3dxe4
  4. 4.Nxe4Qd5
503 games49%45%

An eccentric French Rubinstein sideline in which Black centralizes the queen with 4...Qd5, inviting White to gain time by attacking it.

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About the Maric Variation

The Maric Variation is an eccentric Rubinstein sideline in which Black answers 4. Nxe4 with 4...Qd5, centralizing the queen and hitting the knight. The two main replies are about equally common. 5. Nc3 protects the knight by retreating it with tempo on the queen, and 5...Bb4 then gives a Winawer-like pin. 5. Bd3 develops instead, since 5...Qxd4?? loses the queen to 6. Bb5+. Engines credit White with a clear advantage.

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