Move 9… for Black in the Open Ruy Lopez - Na5, Nb8, or Bb7?
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1 day ago
0
#3
lukecopeland21 wrote:
I’m fascinated with this line because it goes so many moves with no trades.
My instinct is to play Bb7 because the bishop is undeveloped. But in looking at some model games, the c5 break seems pretty thematic for Black, and you can’t play c5 without moving the knight.
What say you?
My instinct is to play Bb7 because the bishop is undeveloped. But in looking at some model games, the c5 break seems pretty thematic for Black, and you can’t play c5 without moving the knight.
What say you?
Those are not move 9 options in the Open Ruy Lopez, those are move 9 options in the Closed Ruy Lopez.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O 9.h3 is the CLOSED Ruy Lopez, which 9...Na5, 9...Nb8, and 9...Bb7 are all legitimate, but the last one Black has to be ready for a draw if White wants it.
The Open Ruy Lopez is 5...Nxe4 (instead of 5...Be7).
14 hrs ago
0
#4
Thanks, ThrillerFan. I’ll brush up on my Opening names. After 9…Bb7 can White force a draw??
12 hrs ago
0
#5
lukecopeland21 wrote:
Thanks, ThrillerFan. I’ll brush up on my Opening names. After 9…Bb7 can White force a draw??
10.d4 Re8 11.Ng5 Rf8 12.Nf3 Re8 13.Ng5 Rf8 14.Nf3 - Three-Fold Repetition. For Black to avoid it, he must play an inferior sideline, like 10...Qd7, or 12...Qd7 after trying ...Re8 once, then it becomes a game of chicken - does White really intend to draw if 12...Re8? Or does he really intend to go for the main lines and wants to see if I am willing to risk the draw by re-playing the best move and trying to sucker me into an inferior line?
My instinct is to play Bb7 because the bishop is undeveloped. But in looking at some model games, the c5 break seems pretty thematic for Black, and you can’t play c5 without moving the knight.
What say you?