Classical Defense, Rubinstein Variation
- 1.d4d5
- 2.c4dxc4
- 3.Nf3Nf6
- 4.e3e6
- 5.Bxc4c5
- 6.O-Oa6
- 7.a4
762 games
Queen's Gambit Accepted line in which White meets 6...a6 with 7. a4, stopping ...b5 at the cost of the b4 square, leading to a balanced positional game.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Rubinstein Variation
The Rubinstein Variation answers 6...a6 with 7. a4, which prevents ...b5 from gaining time on the bishop and halts Black's queenside expansion. The price is a loosened b4 square that a black knight or bishop can later occupy. Black usually develops with 7...Nc6, by far the most common reply, while 7...cxd4 resolves the central tension at once and has scored well for Black on Lichess. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced.