C13
French Defense: Classical Variation
Key moves: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3/Nd2 dxe4
In the Rubinstein Variation, Black captures on e4, leading to open positions. White gets a slight space advantage but Black has solid development.
History & Notable Players
Named after Akiba Rubinstein, the legendary endgame player.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
C10 - French Defense: Marshall Gambit747C11 - French Defense: Steinitz Variation1538C12 - French Defense: McCutcheon Variation175C14 - French Defense: Classical Variation104C15 - French Defense: Winawer Variation278C16 - French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation263C17 - French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation225C18 - French Defense: Winawer Variation, Warsaw Variation487C19 - French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional Variation379
Best Games
Hong,Andrew vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 8 2020Notable
Yoo,Christopher Woojin vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 8 2020Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Morozevich,A1-0
Amber Blindfold 2005Notable
Vachier Lagrave,M vs Hou Yifan1-0
77th Tata Steel GpA 2015
Hou Yifan vs Hoang Thanh Trang1-0
41st Olympiad Women 2014 2014
Hou Yifan vs Nakhbayeva,G1/2-1/2
40th Olympiad Women 2012
Polgar,Ju vs Morozevich,A0-1
World Blitz 2009
Hou Yifan vs Danielian,E1-0
38th Olympiad w 2008
Smeets,J vs Hou Yifan0-1
Corus B 2008
Leko,P vs Morozevich,A1-0
World Blitz 2007
Leko,P vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
Corus A 2006
Morozevich,A vs Korchnoi,V1-0
It 2003
Kasparov,G vs Korchnoi,V1-0
Korchnoi Birthday KO 2001
Nataf,IA vs Morozevich,A0-1
34th Olympiad 2000
Polgar, Judit vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1-0
Amber-blind 2nd 1993
Spassky, Boris V vs Guimard, Carlos E1/2-1/2
Gothenburg Interzonal 1955
Rustamov,Rustam vs Caruana,F0-1
1st 3-0 Thu 20th Nov 2025 2025
Ohanyan,Emin vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
Comet Open Titled Losers 2025
Mikhailovsky,Vladimir vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
Titled Tue 14th Oct 2025 2025
Rustamov,Rustam vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
Titled Tue 6th May Late 2025