Yusupov-Rubinstein System

A quiet set-up: e3, Bd3 and a knight on e5

Set-up systems

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.e3: White does not hurry with c4 and builds a quiet set-up around Bd3, castling and a knight on e5. It is a cousin of the Colle, without the compulsory c3 pawn. The idea is simple: develop soundly, then play e3-e4 or go for the kingside. The system does not promise a quick attack, but it gives a position that is easy to understand, and Black has nothing to fear with accurate play.

Interactive Opening Board

6.Ne5

♚

Black

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White

6.Ne5

Speed:

Moves

(11 plies • 6 moves)

6.Ne5Tabiya

1–6moves
#WhiteBlack
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Defining move

3.e3 — no c4, but a plan

The move that picks a quiet set-up over a Queen's Gambit

The e3 pawn opens the road for the f1 bishop and backs up d4. White gives up c4 and with it the sharp theoretical battles. In return White gets a set-up playable against almost any reply, and e3-e4 stays in reserve.

Tabiya

The knight on e5 against Black's fianchetto

White has played Bd3, castled and put a knight on e5, where the d4 pawn protects it. Black has a bishop on b7 and a pawn on d5, and now has to decide how to deal with the knight. White wants pressure on the kingside or preparation for e3-e4. Black looks for trades and the counterstrike …c5.

White’s plan

Develop the bishop to d3, castle and put a knight on e5.
Prepare e3-e4 with Nd2 and f2-f3 or c2-c4.
Play on the kingside while keeping the pawn chain solid.

Black’s plan

Set up the fianchetto with …b6 and …Bb7 and hold the centre with …d5.
Challenge the e5 knight with …Bd6 or …Nbd7 and trade it off.
Free the position with …c5 against the d4 pawn.

Notable players

Akiba Rubinstein

Legends who played it

Akiba Rubinstein
as White · Named after the player
Artur Yusupov
as White · Named after the player

Games in the Atlas

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