Rubinstein 4.e3: Main line with ...O-O, ...d5, ...c5
Rubinstein 4.e3: Main line with ...O-O, ...d5, ...c5 is variation 1 of 6 in the Nimzo-Indian Defence course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO E59). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O …. Against White's solid 4.e3 Black castles, strikes with ...d5 and ...c5 and takes on c3 once White plays a3. After ...dxc4 and ...Qc7 Black prepares ...e5 to free the light-squared bishop and challenge White's centre. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre and prepares c4.
1... Nf6 – Black develops and stops White from playing e4 at once.
2. c4 – White gains space and adds control of d5.
2... e6 – Opens the f8-bishop's diagonal toward b4 and prepares ...d5.
3. Nc3 – White prepares e4, which would give him a big pawn centre.
3... Bb4 – The Nimzo move: the bishop pins the c3-knight so it cannot support e4, and Black threatens to double White's pawns with ...Bxc3+.
4. e3 – The Rubinstein: White calmly supports d4, opens the f1-bishop and avoids any weakness.
4... O-O – Black castles first and keeps the choice between ...d5, ...c5 and ...b6.
5. Bd3 – Develops the bishop toward h7 and prepares Nf3 and O-O.
5... d5 – Takes a share of the centre and stops White's e4 for good.
6. Nf3 – Develops and covers d4 and e5.
6... c5 – The second central strike: Black attacks d4 so White cannot keep a free centre.
7. O-O – White finishes kingside development.
7... Nc6 – Develops and adds a third attacker on d4.
8. a3 – White asks the bishop to decide: take on c3 or retreat.
8... Bxc3 – Black gives the bishop to double White's pawns and remove the knight that controls e4 and d5.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM