French Defense: Classical Variation, Rubinstein Variation

Chess openings are crucial in a game of chess as they set the tone for the rest of the game. The French Defense is a popular opening for black players who want to hinder white's e4 pawn push, which can lead to a strong central control. In response, black typically plays e6, preventing white's pawns from advancing further. White's move e4 in the French Defense Classical Variation, Rubinstein Variation is a common move because it strengthens the center and pushes the pawn forward, aiming for dominance in the board's center and attacking black's pawn on d5. It also opens up lines for White's pieces, allowing them to move more freely and find better squares for themselves. However, black has ways to counter this solid central control with a well-prepared defense, such as the Rubinstein Variation, where Black plays Nf6 and Be7 to avoid getting into uncomfortable positions. This move also prepares for Black's eventual response to e5, which can lead to a more even game. In sum, e4 in the French Defense Classical Variation, Rubinstein Variation is a robust move that seeks to gain control of the board's center and give White an early advantage. However, black has planned defenses to counter this move and create a more balanced game.

Black plays e6 in response to 1.e4 as a part of the French Defense opening. This move aims to control the center of the board and prevent White from advancing their pawn to e5, which could give them a significant advantage. By playing e6, Black can also prepare for the development of their king's bishop, which can be placed on either d6 or e7. In sum, e6 is a solid response that restricts White's options while setting up Black for a strong defense.

White's move d4 in response to 1.e4 e6 is a central pawn push that aims for full domination of the center of the board. This move strengthens White's position, creating potential threats to Black's control of their d5 pawn. It's a good move to make when trying to gain control of the board's center, it also frees up White's dark-square bishop to coordinate with other pieces and find better positioning. On the other hand, Black's pawn control of d5 keeps White's pawns in check, meaning that White must use other pieces to try to gain control of the center instead of the pawns. In sum, d4 is an aggressive and strategic move that seeks to give White an early advantage over Black.

In the French Defense: Classical Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Black plays d5 in response to 1.e4 e6 2.d4, aiming for central control and challenging White's pawn structure. This move also opens up lines for Black's pieces while restricting the movement of White's. If White takes the pawn on d5, Black can recapture with their pawn, leading to an exchange in the center of the board, where Black stays with a pawn structure which can result in a strong queen or bishop pawn chain. On the other hand, if White doesn't take the pawn, Black creates a wedge in the center of the board, which can be used to block White's pieces. In sum, d5 is an important move that aims to control the center of the board while giving Black more flexible pieces and potential for a strong defense.

In response to 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5, White plays Nc3 to gain control of the center and prepare for future pawn movements. The knight also puts pressure on Black's pawn on d5, creating potential threats and opening up attacking lines for White's pieces. Furthermore, the move prepares the eventual deployment of the dark-square bishop to c4 or g5, further controlling the center and putting more pressure on Black's position. Finally, Nc3 is part of the natural development of White's pieces, bringing the knight to a central square, where it can exert more influence on the board. In sum, Nc3 is a strong move that sets White up for a more potent offense and creates counterplay options.

In response to 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3, Black plays Nf6 to challenge White's control of the center of the board. This move puts pressure on White's pawn on e4, and sets up Black's defenses. By playing Nf6, Black's knight also supports its d5 pawn, freeing up other pieces to move strategically, depending on how White develops next. The move also prepares potential threats against White’s castled position. In sum, Nf6 is a strong move that aims to destabilize White's position in the center of the board while setting Black up for a strong defense.

In the French Defense: Classical Variation, Rubinstein Variation, White plays Bg5 after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6, to pin the knight in front of the black's king. This move aims to develop White's dark-square bishop with tempo, applying immediate pressure on Black's defense. Bg5 is also a common move in many variations of the French Defense, as it increases the pressure on the knight, forcing Black to decide whether to move the knight or exchange it, potentially doubling Black's pawns on the f-file. Lastly, Bg5 prepares for future developments, allowing White to choose between recapturing on f6 with the bishop or the pawn if exchanges ensue. In sum, Bg5 is an aggressive move that aims to put pressure on Black and create potential weaknesses in Black's position.

In response to 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5, Black plays Be7 to protect the knight on f6, which is under attack from White's bishop on g5. This move also prepares the eventual castle of Black's king, making it less vulnerable to potential future attacks. By playing Be7, Black aims to maintain the balance in the center of the board while preparing for a solid defense against White's potential attacks and planning counter-attacks. Additionally, Be7 is a part of the development of Black's pieces, allowing for the potential coordination with other pieces to create a stronger defense. In sum, Be7 is a sound move that aims to maintain balance and coordinate Black's pieces for a more robust defense.

In response to 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7, White plays e5 to break open the center of the board and gain more space. This move also creates potential threats against Black's position, potentially opening up attacking lines and putting more pressure on Black's defense. In addition, e5 further develops White's pieces, freeing up the bishop on c1 for better positioning. By centralizing the pawns, White gains more control over the center of the board while potentially creating new openings for their pieces to move through. In sum, e5 is a strategic move that sets White up for a more potent offense and puts more pressure on Black's defenses.

In the French Defense: Classical Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Black plays Nfd7 after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e5, to block White's pawn structure and undermine their position in the center of the board. This move also prepares for the eventual deployment of the light-square bishop, freeing it up to go to b7 or a6 and creating potential threats against White's king position. By exchanging the knight on f6 for the bishop on g5 if captured, Black can also make it harder for White to attack the black king. Additionally, Nfd7 is part of the development of Black's pieces, allowing for greater coordination and better positioning. In sum, Nfd7 is a sound move that sets Black up for a stronger defense and creates counterplay options.

In response to 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e5 Nfd7, White plays Bxe7 to exchange the dark-square bishop for Black's well-placed knight on d7. This move can lead to an advantageous exchange for White, potentially forcing Black's knight to the inconvenient c6 square and hinder its scope. After the exchange, White's pawn on e5 becomes more powerful, as it controls the square that the knight once covered. The move also prepares for the eventual deployment of the f1 bishop, which can create threats against Black's castle position. In sum, Bxe7 is a sound move that aims to gain a positional advantage over Black's knights while setting White up for a more potent offense.

In response to 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e5 Nfd7 6.Bxe7, Black plays Qxe7 to exchange queens and disrupt White's position. This move creates a material balance, and, in some cases, may also reduce the pressure on Black's position. Qxe7 also maintains the option for Black's castling, allowing for better protection of the king and providing more tactical options. This move also puts more pressure on White's bishops as they lose a valuable target. Furthermore, Qxe7 frees up Black's light-square bishop for more strategic use, potentially setting up devastating attacks against White's position. In sum, Qxe7 is a sound move that aims to create more tactical options for Black and disrupt White's position.

In the French Defense: Classical Variation, Rubinstein Variation, White plays Qd2 after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e5 Nfd7 6.Bxe7 Qxe7, to connect the rooks and potentially set up for future pawn pushes on the queenside. This move also prepares for the eventual castle of White's king, positioning the queen for better protection and potential attacks against Black's position. Qd2 also puts more pressure on Black's position, potentially causing a disruption in Black's strategy. Additionally, Qd2 is part of the development of White's pieces, allowing for greater coordination and potential tactical opportunities. In sum, Qd2 is a sound move that sets White up for further development and creates potential attacking options.