The opening

The first moves of any lines are these:

  1. e4 e5
  2. Nf3 Nc6
  3. Bb5

The Morphy defense 3..a6 Exchange Variation

3..a6 is the calssic and main line reply to the Ruy Lopez.

This is the exchange variation where white bishop takes blacks horse.

There are 4 main responses to the exchange variation

  • 5...Bg4
  • 5...f6
  • 5...Bd6
  • 5...Qd6

5..Bg4


5..f6


5..Bd6


5..Qd6


4 Ba4 - The declined exchanged variations

White wants to keep the threat of the bishop taking the knight but not doing it yet.

4..Nf6 most popular Variation

Which usually starts with the castle 5 O-O

5..Nxe4 The Open (Spanish) Variation

Ideas after the main line of the open for white

5..Be7 The Closed (Spanish) Variation

7...d6

9...Na5 Chigorin Defense

7...O-O Marshal Attack

5..b5 The Arkhangelsk Variation

4...b5 The Taimanov Variation

4..d6 The Neo-Steinitz Variation

Much more to come soon