The variation of the French that starts 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 (or 3 Nd2) 3 ... dxe4 is often called the Rubinstein Variation. It is a great way to simplify the position and ensure that the middlegame battle rewards strategic understanding rather than rote memorisation of opening moves. It is also a very useful weapon to defuse the attacking intentions of aggressive White players who plan an all-out assault in the main lines of the French Defence.
An important feature of the lines after 3...dxe4 4 Nxe4 is that Black has various different ways to continue. 4 ... Nd7 is the most common but 4 ... Bd7 (planning ... Bc6 – the Fort Knox Variation), 4 ... Be7 and 4 ... Nf6 are all possible. All these lines are covered in the book.
Finally, White can, of course, avoid the 3 ... dxe4 variation with (amongst others) the Advance Variation, 3 e5. Martin provides antidotes to all these possible sidelines and so the variations in the book provide a complete repertoire to meet 1 e4.
About the Author
Andrew Martin is a FIDE Senior Trainer and International Master. He teaches in twelve schools, is an experienced chess writer and has produced numerous chess DVDs.
Content
003 About the Author
006 Introduction
Part One: 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3/Nd2 dxe4
007 1) Overview of the Variations
055 2) Rubinstein: Introduction
062 3) Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 Bd3
089 4) Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 Bg5
112 5) Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 c3
131 6) Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 Ne5
137 7) Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 Be3 and 7 Bc4
148 8) Rubinstein: 6 Bd3
157 9) Rubinstein: 6 Ng3 and Rare Knight Moves
162 10) Rubinstein: 6 Bg5
171 11) Rubinstein: White Fianchettos
177 12) Rubinstein: Other Ideas for White
182 13) Fort Knox: Introduction and Main Line
212 14) Fort Knox: Main Line without 7 0-0
235 15) Fort Knox: Loose Ends
242 16) The Modest 4...Be7
258 17) The Sharp 4...Nf6
282 18) Other Fourth Moves for Black
Part Two: Lines without 3 Nc3 and 3 Nd2
288 19) Advance Variation
312 20) Exchange Variation
326 21) King’s Indian Attack
340 22) Rare Lines
352 Index of Variations
364 Index of Complete Games
An important feature of the lines after 3...dxe4 4 Nxe4 is that Black has various different ways to continue. 4 ... Nd7 is the most common but 4 ... Bd7 (planning ... Bc6 – the Fort Knox Variation), 4 ... Be7 and 4 ... Nf6 are all possible. All these lines are covered in the book.
Finally, White can, of course, avoid the 3 ... dxe4 variation with (amongst others) the Advance Variation, 3 e5. Martin provides antidotes to all these possible sidelines and so the variations in the book provide a complete repertoire to meet 1 e4.
About the Author
Andrew Martin is a FIDE Senior Trainer and International Master. He teaches in twelve schools, is an experienced chess writer and has produced numerous chess DVDs.
Content
003 About the Author
006 Introduction
Part One: 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3/Nd2 dxe4
007 1) Overview of the Variations
055 2) Rubinstein: Introduction
062 3) Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 Bd3
089 4) Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 Bg5
112 5) Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 c3
131 6) Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 Ne5
137 7) Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 Be3 and 7 Bc4
148 8) Rubinstein: 6 Bd3
157 9) Rubinstein: 6 Ng3 and Rare Knight Moves
162 10) Rubinstein: 6 Bg5
171 11) Rubinstein: White Fianchettos
177 12) Rubinstein: Other Ideas for White
182 13) Fort Knox: Introduction and Main Line
212 14) Fort Knox: Main Line without 7 0-0
235 15) Fort Knox: Loose Ends
242 16) The Modest 4...Be7
258 17) The Sharp 4...Nf6
282 18) Other Fourth Moves for Black
Part Two: Lines without 3 Nc3 and 3 Nd2
288 19) Advance Variation
312 20) Exchange Variation
326 21) King’s Indian Attack
340 22) Rare Lines
352 Index of Variations
364 Index of Complete Games