Ruy Lopez Opening, Steinitz Defense & Nimzowitsch Attack
Ruy Lopez Opening
Definition
The Ruy Lopez (ECO codes C60-C99) is the classical 1. e4 e5 opening in which White follows up with 2. Nf3 attacking the e-pawn and, after 2…Nc6, plays 3. Bb5. Named after 16-century Spanish priest Ruy López de Segura, it is one of the oldest and most deeply analysed openings in chess.
How it is used
- Piece Play: The bishop on b5 pins Black’s knight, increasing pressure on e5 and paving the way for central expansion with d2-d4 or c2-c3 & d2-d4.
- Long-term Plans: White often aims for the “Spanish bishop” retreat to a4-b3, castles kingside, and manoeuvres the knights (Nf3-g1-f1-g3, Nc3-d2-f1-g3) to build up a kingside attack.
- Black’s Choices: Classical defenses include the Morphy (3…a6), Berlin (3…Nf6), Steinitz (3…d6), and Schliemann (3…f5). Each leads to rich, varied middlegames.
Strategic & Historical Significance
For more than 150 years the Ruy Lopez has been a main laboratory of opening theory. Nearly every World Championship match from Steinitz–Zukertort (1886) to Carlsen–Karjakin (2016) featured crucial Spanish games. Because it teaches fundamental concepts—central tension, pawn breaks, pawn structure transformation, prophylaxis—coaches often recommend it to ambitious students.
Classic Example
Capablanca vs. Tarrasch, San Sebastián 1911, followed the quintessential Ruy plan:
The Cuban slowly built a central pawn duo and routed his pieces to irresistible attacking posts, illustrating the opening’s enduring strategic ideas.
Interesting Facts
- The line 3…a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 is sometimes nicknamed the “Spanish Torture” because Black must defend an uncomfortable position for a long time.
- In 1997 Kasparov employed the Ruy versus Deep Blue, choosing the trendy Arkhangelsk 3…a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7.
- Computer engines evaluate many Ruy Lopez tabiyas as roughly equal, yet elite players still favour it because of the enormous practical complexity and wealth of plans for both sides.
Old Steinitz Defense (in the Ruy Lopez)
Definition
The Old Steinitz Defense arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6. Black protects the e-pawn immediately instead of the more popular 3…a6, accepting a somewhat passive structure in exchange for solidity.
Usage & Key Ideas
- Early Pawn Shield: …d6 supports e5 but blocks the c8-bishop, so Black must later seek counterplay with …f5, …g6, or …f6.
- Flexible Development: Black often delays …a6 and may fianchetto either bishop, while White decides between calm manoeuvres (d2-d3, c2-c3) and immediate central expansion (d2-d4).
- “Steinitz Fortress”: Wilhelm Steinitz used the line to justify his defensive theories; he argued that a cramped but healthy position could survive a direct assault and later break out.
Theory Snapshot
After 4. d4 Bd7 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. O-O Be7, the main tabiya features:
- White: Space advantage, two bishops, prospects of d4-d5.
- Black: Solid pawn chain e5-d6-c7, latent central break …d5, potential kingside pawn storm.
Historical & Modern Practice
Although fashionable in the 19th century, the Old Steinitz declined after Tarrasch and Lasker found strong attacking improvements for White. In the computer era it staged a modest comeback: Kramnik, Ivanchuk, and Shirov have used it as an occasional surprise weapon.
Illustrative Game
Shirov – Piket, Tilburg 1996:
Shirov demonstrated the dynamic potential of the line, sacrificing a pawn for rapid piece activity and ultimately crashing through on the kingside.
Interesting Nuggets
- In the 1892 World Championship Steinitz scored +3 =7 -2 with his pet defense against Lasker, proving its resilience but eventually conceding to Lasker’s more energetic play.
- Because engines now defend cramped positions nearly perfectly, some grandmasters revisit the Old Steinitz to steer opponents into less-trodden territory.
Nimzowitsch Attack (Nimzo-Larsen Opening)
Definition
The Nimzowitsch Attack, better known today as the Nimzo-Larsen Attack, starts with 1. b3. First advocated by Aron Nimzowitsch and later refined by Bent Larsen, the opening invites Black to occupy the centre while White develops the queen’s bishop to b2, eyeing e5 and g7.
Main Ideas
- Hyper-modern Strategy: White controls the centre from afar, often striking later with c4, e4, or f4.
- Flexible Transpositions: Depending on Black’s reply (…d5, …e5, …c5, …g6), play can transpose into Queen’s Indian, English, or even Dutch-type structures.
- Early Imbalances: By sidestepping mainstream 1. e4 and 1. d4 theory, the line forces opponents to think for themselves from move one.
Theoretical Branches
- Classical 1…e5: 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bb5 leads to Spanish-flavoured positions, with central tension around e4/d4.
- Reversed Dutch 1…d5: 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. e3 g6 4. f4 where White mimics the Leningrad Dutch one tempo up.
- Fianchetto Duel 1…g6: 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 leading to double-fianchetto structures reminiscent of the Catalan.
Historical Highlights
Nimzowitsch used 1. b3 to defeat both Capablanca (New York 1927) and Rubinstein (Marienbad 1925). Bent Larsen later popularised it in the 1960s-70s, famously beating World Champion Spassky at Belgrade 1970 with a crushing kingside attack.
Sample Miniature
Larsen – Spassky, Belgrade 1970 (12 moves):
Larsen sacrificed material to open lines for his bishops and quickly overwhelmed the Black king.
Why it Remains Popular
- Psychological Edge: Forces opponents out of their comfort zone.
- Versatility: Suitable for blitz, rapid, and classical time controls; even Magnus Carlsen has experimented with 1. b3 in elite play.
- Engine Approval: Modern engines rate 1. b3 as fully sound, giving club players confidence to employ it regularly.
Fun Fact
Online databases show that 1. b3 scores marginally better for White than 1. e4 at bullet time-controls under 1 minute—proof that surprise value matters when the clock is ticking!