Ruy Lopez: Closed, Worrall Attack
Ruy Lopez: Closed, Worrall Attack
Definition
The Worrall Attack is a sub-variation of the Closed Ruy Lopez that arises after the moves:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Qe2
Instead of the almost automatic 6.Re1 (the Main Line), White places the queen on e2. This seemingly modest change alters the middlegame plans: the queen supports an early d2–d4 break, keeps c2 free for the knight, and occasionally allows a quick transfer to the kingside with Qe2–e4 or Qe2–g4.
Typical Ideas & Usage
- Central Control: With Qe2 backing an eventual d2–d4, White can clash in the center sooner than in the standard Closed Ruy.
- Flexible Piece Placement: Knight b1 often heads to d2–f1–g3 without blocking the queen. Meanwhile, the c-pawn is free to advance to c3 at the right moment.
- Kingside Ambitions: In many lines White sails for a kingside initiative by maneuvering the queen (Qe2–e4–h4) or doubling rooks on the f-file after Re1–f1.
- Black’s Plans: Black can transpose into familiar Ruy Lopez structures (…d6, …O-O, …Re8, …Bf8) or choose sharper counter-measures such as 6…d5 (the Marshall-style riposte) or 6…b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O followed by …Na5.
Strategic Significance
Because the Worrall keeps the heavy pieces on the e-file rather than the rook alone, pawn breaks and open files appear at unexpected moments. The variation has gained popularity as a surprise weapon: it sidesteps encyclopedic Marshall Gambit theory while preserving many of the Ruy’s long-term positional trumps (the strong light-squared bishop and durable center).
Historical Notes
The line is named after British master Alfred Worrall (late 19th century), though it remained in relative obscurity until modern grandmasters—most notably Vishy Anand and Magnus Carlsen—adopted it as an anti-Marshall tool.
Key Branches
- 6…b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O 9.d4 – Classical maneuvering struggle.
- 6…b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d5 9.d3 – Black grabs space Marshall-style.
- 6…d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Nxe5 Nd4 – Immediate central counter; very concrete.
- 6…O-O 7.Bxc6 dxc6 8.d3 – White inflicts structural damage, then builds a slow attack.
Illustrative Game
[[Pgn| 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Qe2 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d6 9.h3 Re8 10.d4 Bf8 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Nbd2 Bb7 14.d5 Ne7 15.c4 c6 16.dxc6 Bxc6 17.cxb5 axb5 18.Rfc1 Rec8 19.Nf1 Ng6 20.g3 Bd7 21.Kh2 Be6 22.Ne3 Bxb3 23.axb3 Rxc1 24.Rxc1 Ne7 25.Rc7 d5 26.exd5 Qd6 27.Qxb5 Qxc7 28.d6 Qxd6 29.Nc4 Qd5 30.Qxd5 Nxd5 31.Nfxe5 Rb8 32.Na5 Nb4 33.Nac6 Nxc6 34.Nxc6 Rxb3 35.Nd4 Rxb2 36.Kg2 Bc5 37.Kf3 Bxd4 38.Ke4 Bxf2 39.g4 Rb3 40.h4 Rb4+ 41.Kf3 Bxh4 42.g5 hxg5 43.Kg2 g4 44.Kf1 Rb2 1/2-1/2| arros|e2e4 b8c6 g1f3|squares|e4 e5 c6]]Anand – Gelfand, Tal Memorial 2011. Anand steered the game into a positional squeeze, demonstrating the line’s potential to sidestep well-prepared Marshall defenders.
Quick Memory Aid
- “Queen before Rook” – In the Worrall, Qe2 replaces the standard Re1.
- “Delay the Marshall” – Black’s dream …d5 break is less effective because the queen has extra eyes on e5.
- “c-pawn still free” – c2-c3 stays ready to blunt Black’s light-square bishop.
Interesting Facts
- During the 2013 World Championship cycle, several top grandmasters adopted 6.Qe2 to maintain practical chances against computer-backed Marshall analysis.
- In online blitz, players sometimes mix up move orders and accidentally transpose into the Worrall—so knowing it pays tactical dividends!
- The Worrall can surface from other Spanish lines: for example 5…Be7 6.Qe2 can be played even if Black skipped …a6.
When to Use It
If you enjoy Ruy Lopez strategic themes but want to:
- avoid the ultra-theoretical Marshall Gambit (8.c3 d5),
- keep a flexible center with early chances for d2-d4,
- surprise opponents who have booked up on 6.Re1 lines,
then adding the Worrall Attack to your repertoire is an excellent choice.