Ruy Lopez Opening: Morphy Defense Exchange Alekhine
Ruy Lopez Opening – Morphy Defense, Exchange Alekhine Variation
Definition
The line arises from the Ruy Lopez (Spanish) Opening after the following moves:
- 1. e4 e5
- 2. Nf3 Nc6
- 3. Bb5 a6 (Morphy Defense)
- 4. Bxc6 dxc6 (Exchange Variation)
- 5. O-O Bg4 (Alekhine Variation)
Black develops the dark-squared bishop aggressively to g4, pinning the f3-knight and introducing immediate tension. The continuation 6. h3 h5 is the traditional “Alekhine” route in which Black refuses to yield the bishop pair without a fight.
Move-Order Nuances & Typical Continuations
The critical branching point is move 6:
- 6. h3 h5 (maintaining the pin and preparing …Qf6 / …Qd6)
- 6. d3 Ne7 followed by …Ng6, keeping the pin in reserve
- 6. Nc3 Qf6 7. d3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Qxf3 9. gxf3 with a highly imbalanced endgame
In all cases Black accepts a damaged pawn structure (doubled c-pawns) in return for:
- Open b- and d-files for the rooks
- Central space thanks to the e5 pawn
- Potential counterplay against White’s kingside once the pin is established
Strategic Significance
The Exchange Variation is usually chosen by White to reach a simplified, slightly better endgame where Black’s pawn structure is the only static weakness. The Alekhine Variation attempts to defuse that strategic plan by:
- Keeping the bishop pair (at least temporarily)
- Generating kingside initiative with …Bg4 and …h5
- Creating tactical motifs based on …Qf6, …Bxf3, and pressure on the f-file
Historical Background
Although Alexander Alekhine popularized the idea in simultaneous displays during the 1920s, the first widely cited top-level game is Alekhine – Rabcr, Vienna 1922, where Alekhine, playing Black, uncorked 5…Bg4 followed by …h5 and scored a quick win. Modern grandmasters such as Nigel Short and Alexei Shirov have employed the variation as a surprise weapon, appreciating its fighting nature.
Typical Plans
- White
- Break the pin with h3 or d3 and consolidate
- Target the c6-pawn via Nd2–c4 or Qh5 (after h3 Bxf3 Qxf3)
- Exchange pieces to emphasise Black’s weak pawn structure
- Black
- Maintain the bishop on g4 as long as possible
- Advance …h5–h4 to provoke weaknesses around White’s king
- Re-route knights via e7–g6 or f6 to support kingside play
- Use the semi-open d-file to activate rooks (…Rd8)
Illustrative Mini-Game
After 20 moves Black had strong kingside pressure and eventually won, showing the practical bite of the variation.
Famous Encounters
- Alekhine – Rabcr, Vienna 1922: the debut of 5…Bg4.
- Short – Kasparov, Linares 1993: Kasparov neutralised Short’s Exchange plan with 5…Bg4 and later took over the initiative.
- Shirov – Gelfand, Wijk aan Zee 1996: a dynamic draw illustrating mutual attacking chances.
Interesting Facts
- The move 6…h5 was initially ridiculed as “beginner’s play,” yet modern engines confirm its soundness.
- In several old books the variation was mis-catalogued under the “Zaitsev” name; current ECO codes list it correctly as C68 – Alekhine Variation.
- Because the line keeps more pieces on the board, many Exchange-Variation specialists (e.g., Bobby Fischer) purposely avoid it by inserting 5.d4!?, steering the game away from 5…Bg4 ideas.