30-minute training: Learn to play the Rubinstein

The Rubinstein System in the Nimzo-Indian

We have a brand-new application to support this kind of quick learning. Take a look and discover that it's not only useful for your chess, it is great fun!

The line we are dealing with today is this: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 c5 7.O-O cxd4 8.exd4 dxc4 9.Bxc4 b6.

A lifetime repertoire: Play the Nimzo Indian

This DVD provides everything you need to know to be able to play one of the most classical openings with Black, the Nimzo-Indian, arising after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4. Nearly every World Championship and top tournament features the Nimzo-Indian.

The buttons reset the initial position, play forwards / backwards, and get a hint

Master Class Vol.6: Anatoly Karpov

On this DVD a team of experts looks closely at the secrets of Karpov's games. In more than 7 hours of video, the authors examine four essential aspects of Karpov's superb play.

This is one of the most topical and famous positions in the 4.e3 Rubinstein System of the Nimzo-Indian. White has readily agreed to accept an isolated pawn position in return for speedy development and also some more space. Black, by contrast, believes that he can swiftly complete his development and make White suffer by blockading the square in front of the isolated pawn.

White usually begins by putting his bishop on g5. The knight goes to e5. The rooks do well on the semi-open and open files on e1 and c1 respectively. White should always keep an eye out for the d4-d5 break, when the position would become symmetrical. But the active White forces would create a lot of trouble for Black.

Black, on the other hand, tries to place his bishop on b7, the other knight more often than not goes to d7, sometimes on c6. Black usually has an option to take on c3 with his bishop, but can also retreat to e7. The rook will be well placed on c8. The idea is to blockade the d4 pawn by putting a knight on d5 and not to let White liberate himself with the d4-d5 break.

Players like Karpov love this position from the black side, while aggressive players like Kasparov naturally have an affinity towards the white pieces.

What do you prefer? Go on and try out this extremely rich position against the new interactive Fritz program.

Try to play the Rubinstein line against Fritz

In the window below you have buttons for a number of functions: (From left to right) New game, Take back move, Play move forwards, Play now, Get hint, Very weak opponent, Serious amateur, Club player, Master, Switch colours, analyse with a chess engine. 

Hover over the buttons in the actual toolbar below to see their function  

Choose an opponent to match your playing strength and try your luck with the Ruy Lopez. This is a good way to prepare for your next beach game, a more serious encounter, your next club tournament, or the international GM event.

Were you able to beat the program? If you were you should try the next-higher level — click the New Game button on the left of the ribbon and the program will jump back to the end of the variation we are learning. Keep doing this to try alternate continuations. You will find that you are learning the ideas behind the Rubinstein line in the Nimzo Indian. It will help you in your games against human opponents.

Here's an example of an amateur playing the Rubinstein line against the "Baby" level of Fritz. Play through the moves and tell us if it doesn't look just like a regular amateur game.

Tell us what you think in the comments or via the "feedback to the editors" link below.

Links

• Fritz Online
• More training tips and tools