Orthodox Defense, Rubinstein Variation

The Rubinstein Variation, also called the Rubinstein Attack, replaces the main-line 7. Rc1 with 7. Qc2, a move Akiba Rubinstein played often. The queen develops onto the b1-h7 diagonal while keeping the central tension. Black has four replies of similar popularity: 7...h6, 7...c6, 7...b6 and 7...c5. After 7...c5 8. cxd5, the game enters the Flohr Line. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced.