For White· 5 lines

Beat the French: Tarrasch - Rubinstein (3...dxe4)

Position after 8. Qe2

Main line

The chapter's main line, with the comments from the course.

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2
The Tarrasch setup. We dodge the sharp Winawer and keep c3 ready to back our center against Black's typical ...c5 break.
3... dxe4
Black takes and gets a perfectly solid position. No structural weaknesses for us to attack, so we need to stay sharp.
4. Nxe4
Now Black has several good replies that lead to different game types.
4... Nf6
Direct but not the best timing. Black should prep this with Nd7 first to avoid the immediate queen exposure after our trade.
5. Nxf6+
Natural and strongest. Black either wrecks the kingside pawns or brings the queen out early.
5... Qxf6 6. Nf3
If Black gives us three moves in a row, that queen is TRAPPED! The sequence Nf3, Bd3, Bg5 wins the queen outright. Black will prevent this, but they'll lose time doing it.
6... h6
Black already has to waste time preventing Bg5.
7. Bd3 Bd6 8. Qe2

The free lines of this chapter, each one trainable move by move.

Main Line
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ Qxf6 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bd3 Bd6 8. Qe2
4...Nd7
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Bd3 O-O 9. Qe2 b6 10. O-O-O Bb7 11. Kb1
4...Bd7
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7 5. Nf3 Bc6 6. Bd3 Nd7 7. O-O Ngf6 8. Ng3
4...Be7
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Be7 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Nxf6+ Bxf6 7. Bf4
6...Bd6
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ Qxf6 6. Nf3 Bd6 7. Bg5

The trainer plays the opponent's moves and waits for yours, line by line. Free to start.