Ruy Lopez (Marshall Gambit): Devious Devising Daze

Position after 8 ... d5

9 exd5 Nxd5 10 Nxe5 Nxe5 11 Rxe5 c6
12 d4 Bd6 13 Re1 Qh4 14 g3 Qh3
15 Be3 Bg4 16 Qd3 Rae8 17 Nd2 Re6
18 a4 Qh5 19 axb5 axb5 20 Ne4 Bf5
21 Bd2 Rxe4 22 Rxe4 Nf6 23 f3 Qg6 24 Qf1 Nxe4
25 fxe4 Bxe4 26 Bf4 Bd3 27 Qf2 Bxf4 28 Qxf4 h6 Line

What's the Game Plan for Black?



Position after 8 ... d5

9 exd5 Nxd5 10 Nxe5 Nxe5 11 Rxe5 c6
12 d4 Bd6 13 Re1 Qh4 14 g3 Qh3
15 Be3 Bg4 16 Qd3 Rae8 17 Nd2 Re6
18 a4 Qh5 19 axb5 axb5 20 Ne4 Bf5
21 Bd2 Rxe4 22 Rxe4 Nf6 23 f3 Qg6 24 Qf1 Nxe4
25 fxe4 Bxe4 26 Bf4 Bd3 27 Qf2 Bxf4 28 Qxf4 h6 Line

* Sacrifice the e5 pawn in return for:

(i) an attack along the dark squares
(12 ... Bd6, 13 ... Qh4).
(ii) an attack along the light squares
(14 ... Qh3, 15 ... Bg4).
(iii) an open e-file (16 ... Rae8).

What's the game plan for White?



Position after 8 ... d5

9 exd5 Nxd5 10 Nxe5 Nxe5 11 Rxe5 c6
12 d4 Bd6 13 Re1 Qh4 14 g3 Qh3
15 Be3 Bg4 16 Qd3 Rae8 17 Nd2 Re6
18 a4 Qh5 19 axb5 axb5 20 Ne4 Bf5
21 Bd2 Rxe4 22 Rxe4 Nf6 23 f3 Qg6 24 Qf1 Nxe4
25 fxe4 Bxe4 26 Bf4 Bd3 27 Qf2 Bxf4 28 Qxf4 h6 Line

* Accept the proffered pawn (10 Nxe5).
* Prevent Black's dark- and light-squared
threats by 14 g3 and 16 Qd3 respectively.
* Promptly mobilize the queenside
(15 Be3, 17 Nd2).
* Liberate the a1 rook by opening up the
a-file (18 a4, 19 axb5).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RUY LOPEZ

Ruy Lopez: Risible Retreat?

Ruy Lopez (Open Variation): Edenic Entrenchment!?