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Queen's Gambit Declined

Cambridge Springs Defense, Rubinstein Variation

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  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.c4c6
  3. 3.Nf3Nf6
  4. 4.Nc3e6
  5. 5.Bg5Nbd7
  6. 6.e3Qa5
  7. 7.Nd2dxc4
287 games46%43%

Cambridge Springs line where Black answers 7. Nd2 with 7...dxc4, grabbing a pawn and opening the fifth rank against the bishop on g5.

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About the Rubinstein Variation

With 7...dxc4, the Rubinstein Variation opens the fifth rank, so the queen on a5 bears down on the unprotected bishop on g5. The pawn grab is the point. The bishop is therefore usually exchanged at once with 8. Bxf6, by far the main reply. The tempting 8. Bxc4 scores very poorly for White. The engine gives White a slight edge, and online results are close to even.

Popular continuations