Rubinstein Opening: Main Line with dxc5 (D05)

The Main Line with dxc5 is a variation of the Rubinstein Opening, catalogued as ECO D05. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.

Black holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after seven moves.

On the Rubinstein Opening generally: ECO D05. A chess opening with 6 known variations.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Rubinstein Opening: Main Line with dxc5 — position after Bxc5 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4d5
2Nf3Nf6
3e3e6
4Bd3c5
5c3Nc6
6Nbd2Bd6
7dxc5Bxc5

ECO: D05

Stockfish: +0.07 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Main Line with dxc5?

The Main Line with dxc5 goes 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5. It is a variation of the Rubinstein Opening and is catalogued as ECO D05.

What is the ECO code for the Main Line with dxc5?

The Main Line with dxc5 is ECO D05. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Rubinstein Opening.

Is the Main Line with dxc5 good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 at +0.07 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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.

What kind of position does the Main Line with dxc5 lead to?

Black holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move.