French Defense: Rubinstein Variation, Maric Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
34,526 games: White 50.8% / Draw 5.0% / Black 44.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 14,96015K | ||
| 11,58112K | ||
| 4,3334,333 | ||
| 1,4781,478 | ||
| 1,3311,331 | ||
| 286286 | ||
| 180180 | ||
| 167167 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 8, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.24 White is better
Best play: 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. Nf3 Nb4 7. O-O Nxd3 8. Qxd3 Be7 9. Bf4 Qd8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
French Defense: Rubinstein Variation, Maric Variation (ECO C10, Open Games) is a variation of the French Defense: Rubinstein Variation, reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Qd5 (4 moves).
In 34,526 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.8%, Black 44.2% and 5.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Bd3, in 43% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the French Defense: Rubinstein Variation, Maric Variation
5. Nc3 scores best for White: 55.4%, with White winning 52.7% and Black 41.9% of 12K games. The most played answer, 5. Bd3, scores lowest: 53.0% in 15K games. Stockfish's first choice is 5. Bd3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “French Defense: Rubinstein Variation, Maric Variation (C10)”. Lichess data as of 8 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/french-defense-rubinstein-variation-maric-variation