Rubinstein Opening: Classical Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
57,396 games: White 52.3% / Draw 5.6% / Black 42.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 31,03931K | ||
| 13,24613K | ||
| 7,0597,059 | ||
| 3,0823,082 | ||
| 1,5161,516 | ||
| 538538 | ||
| 292292 | ||
| 224224 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.06 The position is about equal
Best play: 8. Nbd2 b6 9. a3 Bb7 10. Re1 Rc8 11. dxc5 bxc5 12. c4 Re8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Rubinstein Opening: Classical Defense (ECO D05, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Rubinstein Opening, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 c5 4. Bd3 d5 5. b3 Nc6 6. O-O Be7 7. Bb2 O-O (7 moves).
In 57,396 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.3%, Black 42.1% and 5.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Nbd2, in 54% of those games.
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How to play against the Rubinstein Opening: Classical Defense
The most played answer, 8. Nbd2, also scores best for White: 56.0%, with White winning 53.2% and Black 41.3% of 31K games. Of the main answers, 8. Ne5 scores lowest: 53.4%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. Nbd2.
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. “Rubinstein Opening: Classical Defense (D05)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/rubinstein-opening-classical-defense