The Rubinstein Variation, Fort Knox Variation is a variation of the French Defense, catalogued as ECO C10. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7 5. Nf3 Bc6, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves.
On the French Defense generally: A solid defense where Black builds a strong pawn chain. Leads to strategic middlegames with clear plans.
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The Rubinstein Variation, Fort Knox Variation goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7 5. Nf3 Bc6. It is a variation of the French Defense and is catalogued as ECO C10.
The Rubinstein Variation, Fort Knox Variation is ECO C10. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the French Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7 5. Nf3 Bc6 at +0.71 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move.