Chess: Understanding the Ruy Lopez Opening (Exchange Variation) Part I

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Bxc6 dxc6 5 O-O f6
6 d4 Bg4 7 c3 Bd6 8 Be3 Qe7 9 Nbd2 O-O-O
10 Qc2 exd4 11 cxd4 Re8 12 e5 fxe5 13 dxe5
13 ... Bxe5 14 Rfe1 Line



Also available: Chess: Understanding the
Ruy Lopez (Marshall Gambit)

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6:



4 Bxc6



Giving Black double pawns, BUT, losing the bishop
pair also. Henceforth, the outcome hinges on the
interplay of this confliction.

4 Ba4
4 Bc4
4 Be2
4 Bd3

4 ... dxc6



4 ... bxc6

5 O-O



5 d3
5 d4
5 Nc3
5 Nxe5

5 ... f6



5 ... Qf6
5 ... Be7
5 ... Bg4
5 ... Qd6
5 ... Qe7
5 ... Ne7
5 ... Bd6
5 ... Be6
5 ... Nf6

6 d4



6 d3
6 Nc3
6 c3

6 ... Bg4



Before this move, d4 was attacked and protected twice.
Now, however, one of its defenders is pinned.

6 ... exd4
6 ... Bd6
6 ... Qd6
6 ... Qe7

7 c3



Which is why White protects it again.

7 dxe5
7 Be3
7 Qd3

7 ... Bd6



Ideally posted for a potential h2 strike (... Bxh2+),
seeing how the e5 pawn is not static.

7 ... Qd7
7 ... exd4
7 ... Ne7
7 ... c5
7 ... Qe7
7 ... Qd6

8 Be3



The bishop and c3 pawn work together to support
d4. The Queen has just been relieved from that
particular role, which means she can now mind
other areas of the board. Important pieces
shouldn't get tied down to doing trivial roles!

8 dxe5
8 h3
8 Nbd2
8 Qb3

8 ... Qe7



Teaming up with the bishop to fight for a3-f8.
The darker design is to castle long and exploit
the half open d file. Kingside castling arrange-
ments are also possible, but the subsequent
a2-g8 exposure is unappealing.

8 ... Qd7
8 ... Ne7
8 ... Nh6

9 Nbd2



So that e4/f3 are secure. b3/c4 also look tempting.

9 Re1
9 h3

9 ... O-O-O



It's always a good idea to check out important
pieces using minor ones, even if there are other
players between them (Rd8-Qd1 X-Ray). Should
affairs open up, the contact might be lethal.

9 ... exd4
9 ... Qe6
9 ... Nh6
9 ... g6

10 Qc2



But of course White knows the whole deal. So much
so that he creates his own X-Ray (Qc2-Kc8).

10 Rb1
10 dxe5
10 Re1
10 h3

10 ... exd4



Things have to get started somehow, especially since
both Kings are now secure. The d4 tension finally comes
to a head and lines are opened up for the d6 bishop and
e7 Queen.

10 ... Qf7
10 ... Qe8

11 cxd4



11 Nxd4

11 ... Re8



Building up the pressure down the half open e file.

11 ... Qf7

12 e5



12 Qd1
12 Nh4

12 ... fxe5



12 ... Bb4

13 dxe5



13 Nxe5

13 ... Bxe5



14 Rfe1



X-Rays, x-rays, x-rays!

White is down a pawn, but, he's hoping to benefit
from the Queen stalk. In addition, he's organizing
a promising queenside attack.

14 h3

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Enter your search terms Submit search form