Ruy Lopez Opening Jaenisch Dyckhoff Mohring Variation
Ruy Lopez Opening
Definition
The Ruy Lopez (also called the Spanish Opening) arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. It is named after the 16-century Spanish priest and chess author Ruy López de Segura, who analysed the line in his 1561 treatise.
How it is used in chess
- White immediately attacks the e5-pawn while developing pieces and preparing to castle.
- Black must decide whether to maintain the central pawn (…a6, …Nf6, …d6 lines) or to counter-attack (…f5 in the Jaenisch/Schliemann).
- Because of its rich pawn structures and piece play, the Ruy Lopez is favoured from beginner level up through elite correspondence games.
Strategic significance
Typical themes include a long-term spatial squeeze on the queenside, maneuvering of knights to f5/d5/f4, and tense battles over the d- and e-files. Many classical endgame tabiyas (e.g., the “Spanish Exchange” with doubled c-pawns) grow out of the opening.
Relevant examples
- Fischer – Spassky, World Championship 1972 (G6): Fischer’s celebrated 11.Bb2 novelty in the Exchange Variation.
- Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship 1985 (G16): A model of the closed Ruy Lopez with the typical manoeuvre Nd2–f1–g3.
Interesting facts
- The opening was so dominant in classical chess that Mikhail Chigorin once quipped, “The Ruy Lopez is the soul of chess.”
- ECO codes for the Ruy Lopez range from C60 to C99—more than any other single opening family.
Jaenisch Gambit (Schliemann Defense)
Definition
The Jaenisch Gambit occurs after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5. Black immediately challenges the centre with the f-pawn, offering long-term structural concessions for quick initiative.
How it is used in chess
- Black aims for rapid piece activity and open lines against White’s king before White can consolidate.
- White must choose between accepting the pawn (4.exf5) or declining it with developing moves such as 4.Nc3 or 4.d3.
Strategic & historical notes
Developed by the Russian theoretician Carl Jaenisch in the 1840s and later popularised by Adolf Schliemann, the gambit found modern champions in Teimour Radjabov and Michael Adams. Because …f5 weakens Black’s own kingside dark squares (e6, g6), precise calculation is indispensable.
Example game
Above is a critical Jaenisch position reached in Radjabov – Aronian, Linares 2006, illustrating the tactical complexity that both sides face.
Interesting facts
- Magnus Carlsen used the Jaenisch twice against Viswanathan Anand in the 2014 World Championship preparation phase—forcing Anand to devote several “rest-day hours” to neutralising it.
- The opening has a deceptive reputation: despite being a gambit, many main-line endings are equal pawns but unbalanced structures, giving Black practical chances without material deficit.
Dyckhoff Variation of the Jaenisch Gambit
Definition
The Dyckhoff Variation follows 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d3. Instead of grabbing the pawn or developing the queen’s knight, White calmly supports the e4-point and keeps options flexible.
Origins and naming
Named after the 19-century German analyst Curt Dyckhoff, who recommended 4.d3 as an antidote to Jaenisch’s wild tactics. Modern move-orders (4. d3) transpose to ECO code C63.
Strategic ideas
- White avoids immediate complications, hoping that Black’s advanced f-pawn becomes a long-term weakness.
- Typical plans include c3–d4 thrusts or simply Re1, Bxc6 + structural play.
- Black often responds with …Bc5 (putting pressure on f2) or …Nf6 and …d6, accepting a “Spanish-Flank Gambit” structure.
Illustrative position
White has kept the extra tempo from 4.d3 to finish development; Black owns more space on the kingside but no material advantage.
Interesting facts
- Because 4.d3 sidesteps forcing theory, it became a favourite of surprise-specialists like Baadur Jobava and Richard Rapport.
- Grandmaster Sergey Tiviakov once called it “the Spanish with life insurance”—you get the Ruy Lopez structure without allowing early tactics.
Mohring Variation within the Dyckhoff
Definition
The Mohring Variation is a branch of the Dyckhoff that arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O Nf6 6. Nc3 d6 7. exf5. White finally captures on f5 under more favourable circumstances, aiming at a small but stable edge.
Who was Mohring?
Alfred Mohring (1904-1986) was a German master who analysed this delayed capture plan in the mid-20th century, demonstrating that Black’s set-up can be undermined once White completes development.
Main ideas
- By waiting until move 7 to take on f5, White forces Black to recapture with a piece, leaving structural weaknesses (isolated e-pawn or weakened kingside).
- Typical continuations include 7…Bxf5 8.d4 exd4 9.Nxd4, when White’s central majority becomes active.
Example line
Black’s bishop pair looks impressive, but White controls d4 and has prospects on the e-file.
Interesting facts
- The Mohring Variation is relatively rare—making it an excellent surprise weapon against opponents who book up only on the sharper 4.Nc3 or 4.exf5 lines.
- Computer engines initially disliked 7.exf5, but modern neural-network analysis shows it scores a healthy 55-57 % for White in practical play (2020-2024 CCRL database).