Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bb5/3...a6/4. Bxc6/4...dxc6

< Chess Opening Theory‎ | 1. e4‎ | 1...e5‎ | 2. Nf3‎ | 2...Nc6‎ | 3. Bb5‎ | 3...a6‎ | 4. Bxc6
Ruy Lopez:Exchange Variation
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6
Parent: Ruy Lopez

Spanish game: Exchange Variation edit

In order to attack the e5 pawn, White must first protect themself against the Qd4 threat (everyone must be aware that 5. Nxe5 only will give white disadvantage.).

5. Nc3 is an option but probably not the best, and anyway not the most active.
5. O-O is a much more subtle way to defend against the pawn capture, as after Nxe5 Qd4 Nf3 Qxe4, White can capture the queen with Re1 (the Black Queen is pinned because it protects the king).
5. d4 is a way to break the center and solve matters in blood. But this variation does not seem to get good results for White.

Theory table edit

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6
5
Barendregt Variation (Main Line) O-O
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=
d4
-
=
Nc3
-
=
Nxe5
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=

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References edit