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Common Lines in the Ruy Lopez

By , About.com Guide

10 of 10

Marshall Attack

The Marshall Attack was the invention of American master Frank Marshall, who saved it for use against Jose Raul Capablanca in 1918. While Capablanca refuted it over the board and won that game, further refinements to the opening have turned it into one of Black's most feared weapons in the Ruy Lopez.

The Marshall Attack is reached after 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0-0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 0-0 8. c3 d5. It features many forcing moves that require players to know theory in order to successfully navigate the opening, and because of this, many White players choose to play "anti-Marshall" systems that avoid these lines. There are also some lines in which White may force early draws.

It should be clear now just how complex the Ruy Lopez can be - and we've only scratched the surface of the lines available in this rich opening system.

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