Ruy Lopez: Risible Retreat?

Position after 17 ... Ng8

What a sight! After seventeen moves, Black does not
have a single piece off the eighth rank. It is more than
clear that his development is not superior. Yet, the
procedure for utilizing this drawback is not so obvious.
For there isn't a single organic weakness in Black's
pawn structure nor in any sector of his front. However,
his backward play means he can't quickly free his
game through the typical moves ... g6, ... Ne7, and
... f5. If he attempts to do so, he will only open lines
that may accrue to White.

White can complete development with moves such as
18 Be3 and 19 Qd2, or, he can undertake more active
measures. For instance, he can aim for a queenside
expansion that culminates in a c5 push and, hopefully,
a lethal penetration of that wing.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RUY LOPEZ

Ruy Lopez: Risible Retreat?

Ruy Lopez (Marshall Gambit): Devious Devising Daze

Ruy Lopez (Open Variation): Edenic Entrenchment!?

Chess Openings On-Demand

RUY LOPEZ (CLOSED VARIATION)

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4:




4 Bc4
4 Bxc6
4 Be2
4 Bd3

White cannot as yet win the e5 pawn by 4 Bxc6 dxc6
5 Nxe5 because of 5 ... Qd4, doubly attacking
White's e5 knight and e4 pawn. Consequently, White
retires his bishop to a4, and waits for a more
propitious moment to effect the exchange.

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6
5 0-0 Be7 6 Re1:



White now threatens to play 7 Bxc6 dxc6 8 Nxe5,
when 8 ... Qd4 will no longer work because of
9 Nf3.

6 Bxc6
6 Qe2
6 d3
6 d4
6 Nc3
6 c3
6 c4