Can the Rubinstein French be made sexy

Hi all
I've been playing the odd rubinstein French Roll Eyes. It doesn't seem to get a good press and a lot of players think its boring. Is it possible to sex it up a bit and make it more aggressive??
I play it because it cuts down on the theory as I'm learning the game.

How does the Frere (Becker) variation hold up? 1,e4 e6. 2. d4 d5 3.Nc3/Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Qd5
Or the Ellis Gambit: 1,e4 e6. 2. d4 d5 3.Nc3/Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 e5
Ellis Gambit Delayed: 1,e4 e6. 2. d4 d5 3.Nc3/Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nc6 5.Nf3 e5.

This is my preferred line, too, and I also would like to know.

Originally posted by rob39
Hi all
I've been playing the odd rubinstein French Roll Eyes. It doesn't seem to get a good press and a lot of players think its boring. Is it possible to sex it up a bit and make it more aggressive??
I play it because it cuts down on the theory as I'm learning the game.

How does the Frere (Becker) variation hold up? 1,e4 e6. 2. d4 d5 3.Nc3/Nd2 dxe4 4. ...[text shortened]... 4 4. Nxe4 e5
Ellis Gambit Delayed: 1,e4 e6. 2. d4 d5 3.Nc3/Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nc6 5.Nf3 e5.

Originally posted by simonwells999
well if you really want to sex up the french , may i suggest mccutcheon variation 🙂
i have a game going against jonathan b of london if anyone is interested in this line ...

The game's in progress. While I have no problem at all with its existence being mentioned, it's not appropriate to comment about any aspect of it.

Originally posted by JonathanB of London
The game's in progress. While I have no problem at all with its existence being mentioned, it's not appropriate to comment about any aspect of it.

Like I say, I don't have any difficulty with it being mentioned.

It wasn't your post that was the problem but the one after it. I'm sure no harm/offence was intended but it's still a discussion of an ongoing game.

The rubinstein french isn't boring, just go through the opening (since you don't want to waste half of your life learning more interesting lines, which is fine) and play chess. You will slowly outplay your opponents, gets a tactical shot and win.