Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Wormald Attack

Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense

Definition

The Morphy Defense is the most popular reply by Black after the initial moves of the Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game):

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6

The move 3…a6 immediately asks the white bishop on b5 to decide its future—retreat to a4, exchange on c6, or occasionally drop back to e2. The line is named after the 19-century American prodigy Paul Morphy, who used it with great success and demonstrated its dynamic potential.

How it is Used in Play

• Flexibility: By gaining space on the queenside and forcing White to clarify, Black keeps several setups in reserve (…Nf6 and …Be7 for the Closed Spanish, …d6 for the Steinitz lines, or even …b5 and …Bc5 for the Classical/Taimanov).
• Piece Activity: The pawn on a6 supports …b5, staking space and giving the c6-knight a safe retreat square. In many main lines the bishop later lands on b7 or c5 with excellent scope.
• Minimal Weaknesses: Unlike immediate alternatives such as 3…f5 (Schliemann) or 3…d6 (Old Steinitz), 3…a6 makes no structural concession, so Black can choose solid or sharp continuations later.

Strategic Themes

1. The “Spanish Bishop.” White’s light-squared bishop is highly valued because after retreating to a4 it exerts long-term pressure on the knight at c6 and, indirectly, the pawn on e5.
2. The Central Struggle. Black often delays …d5 until the moment is ripe; meanwhile White aims for c3–d4 to seize space.
3. Queenside Expansion. After …a6 and …b5 Black frequently advances …c5 to challenge the center from the flank.

Historical Significance

Although Paul Morphy himself popularized 3…a6 in the 1850s, the structure became truly universal in the 20^th century. World Champions from Lasker to Carlsen have relied on it, and it remains a staple at every level of play.

In the Game of the Century (Fischer – Byrne, 1956) Bobby Fischer chose 3…a6 en route to his famous queen sacrifice. The 1972 Reykjavík Match featured it repeatedly, e.g. Fischer–Spassky, Game 6, where Fischer’s precise maneuvering produced one of the most celebrated strategic wins ever recorded.

Illustrative Mini-PGN

Here is a typical Closed Spanish starting position after the Morphy Defense:

Interesting Facts

• In modern databases, 3…a6 appears in roughly half of all Ruy Lopez games—by far the most common third move.
• The line is so dominant that the ECO code system devotes nearly thirty consecutive codes (C70–C99) to its sub-variations.
• Because of the opening’s sheer depth, professional players specialise in either the Closed Spanish (…Be7) or the Open Spanish (…Nxe4) for years at a time.

Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Wormald Attack (Schliemann/Jaenisch Deferred)

Definition & Move-Order

The Wormald Attack is an aggressive sideline for Black that defers the Schliemann (3…f5) by one move:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 f5

By first inserting 3…a6, Black eliminates the possibility of 4. Bxc6 (which is available after the immediate 3…f5) and therefore keeps the minor-piece balance intact before striking in the center.

Strategic Ideas

• Immediate Counterplay. The thrust …f5 challenges the e4-pawn, opens the f-file, and signals Black’s intent to seize the initiative—even at the cost of structural weaknesses.
• Comparison with the Original Schliemann (3…f5).
  • The deferred version avoids doubled pawns after Bxc6, giving Black a somewhat healthier queenside.
  • However, the tempo spent on 3…a6 means White has an extra move to consolidate, so precise calculation is still required.
• Typical Plans for Black.
  1. Rapid development with …Nf6, …Bc5, and castling short.
  2. Pressure along the half-open f-file, sometimes sacrificing a pawn with …fxe4 to activate the pieces.
  3. Queenside expansion with …b5 supported by the a6-pawn.
• Typical Plans for White.
  1. Secure the e4-pawn (4. d3 or 5. Nc3) or offer a gambit with 5. exf5.
  2. Exploit Black’s weakened dark squares with moves like d4, Re1, and Nxe5 in many tactical lines.
  3. Keep the light-squared bishop active on a4 or b3, eyeing the e6-square and c2–c3–d4 expansion.

Sample Continuation

In the above illustrative line, Black regains the pawn with an active center while White aims for a structural plus and long-term pressure.

Historical & Theoretical Notes

The variation is named after the English amateur Alfred Wormald (1849-1921) who examined it in the late 19^th century. Although it never achieved mainstream popularity—owing to its risky nature—it periodically appears as a surprise weapon. Grandmasters such as Alexander Morozevich and Baadur Jobava have tried it in rapid and blitz events, where its forcing character can pay off.

Critical Game Reference

Kasparov vs Short, Paris Rapid 1990—Short unleashed the Wormald Attack, achieving dynamic play before ultimately succumbing to Kasparov’s precise defence. The game remains a main analytical touch-stone for the line.

Interesting Facts

• The Wormald Attack is sometimes called the Schliemann-Jaenisch Deferred, but databases assign it its own name (ECO C70).
• Because of the early rook-file tension, engines often evaluate the starting position as roughly equal—but only if Black finds a string of narrow moves; otherwise the evaluation can swing wildly in White’s favour.
• Many club players adopt the line specifically to avoid the mountain of Closed Spanish theory after 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O.