Spanish: Modern Steinitz, Siesta, 6.exf5
Spanish: Modern Steinitz
Definition
The Modern Steinitz Defence is a branch of the Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening) that arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6. By inserting the move …a6 before …d6, Black improves on the original “Old” Steinitz (3…d6) by denying White the threat of an early Bb5-b5(+) pin while still fortifying the e5-pawn.
Typical Move-Order
The most common continuations are:
- 5. c3 Nf6 6. d4 Bd7 7. O-O Be7 – the classical, rock-solid set-up
- 5. Bxc6+ bxc6 6. d4 – the Exchange line, giving White a structural target on c6
- 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 – an early central strike
Strategic Ideas
- Black keeps the e5-pawn guarded, aiming for a compact, resilient position.
- The light-squared bishop often develops to e7 or g7 after …g6; the queenside knight routinely goes to f6-d7-f8-g6, a manoeuvre Steinitz himself popularised.
- White usually chooses between a slow build-up with Re1, h3, Nbd2 or direct central action with d4.
Historical Significance
Wilhelm Steinitz unveiled the idea of …d6 in the 1870s, challenging the dogma that “the centre must always be occupied by pawns.” His insight—keeping a flexible, well-defended pawn chain—was revolutionary. The “modern” tag was added when later masters (Tarrasch, Lasker, and especially Chigorin) improved the line with 3…a6.
Example Game
Capablanca – Tarrasch, St. Petersburg 1914, is a classic illustration.
Capablanca’s patient central expansion eventually overwhelmed Tarrasch’s cramped but solid set-up.
Interesting Facts
- Because of its rock-solid nature, the variation is a favourite in correspondence and engine-assisted play where accuracy is paramount.
- World Champions from Steinitz to Kramnik have employed it, giving the line a distinguished pedigree.
Siesta (Steinitz Defence, Siesta Variation)
Definition
The Siesta Variation is a sharp branch of the Modern Steinitz that begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. c3 f5. Black immediately thrusts the f-pawn, staking central and kingside space at the cost of weakening the e-file and the king’s position.
Name Origin
The tale goes that Spanish masters of the early 20th century analysed the line after lunch during the traditional afternoon “siesta,” hence the nickname.
Key Ideas
- Black: Rapid kingside pressure with …f5-f4, open the f-file, and sometimes castle queenside.
- White: Challenge the pawn on f5 (often with 6. exf5, the main line), exploit the weakened e6 and e-file, and aim for central breaks with d4.
- The position is dynamically unbalanced; both sides must calculate precisely.
Typical Plan Sequence
6. exf5 Bxf5 7. d4 e4 8. d5 exf3 9. dxc6 fxg2 10. Rg1 – often reached in older theory, leading to double-edged play where material and king safety are in constant tension.
Historic Encounters
- Keres – Ilivitzky, USSR Ch 1947: Keres demonstrated model central play, turning Black’s overextended pawns into targets.
- Nakamura – Mamedyarov, Tal Memorial 2010: A modern heavyweight slug-fest that ended in perpetual check after mutual king hunts.
Interesting Facts
- The renowned Argentine GM Miguel Najdorf once quipped, “If you play the Siesta you may never sleep—your king certainly won’t!”
- Engines estimate the line close to equality, but practical results strongly favour the better‐prepared player rather than either colour.
6.exf5 (Main Line against the Siesta)
Definition
The move 6. exf5 is White’s principal reply to Black’s thrust in the Siesta Variation: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. c3 f5 6. exf5. White captures the advanced f-pawn, opening the e-file and exposing Black’s king while forcing Black to recapture with the bishop (…Bxf5) and lose a tempo.
Purpose and Usage
- Undermines Black’s central pawn chain; after the capture the pawn on e5 can become a target.
- Clears the e4-square, paving the way for d2-d4 or Re1 with direct pressure on e5.
- Invites complications—both sides lose a pawn shelter and piece activity skyrockets.
Sample Continuation
6…Bxf5 7. d4 e4 8. d5 exf3 9. dxc6 fxg2 10. Rg1.
Material is level, yet both kings are still in the centre and tactics abound.
Related Opening Ideas
The motif of exf5 against an early …f5 appears in other openings as well:
- King’s Gambit Declined: 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. Nf3 exf4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. Nc3 … 6. exf4
- Philidor Hanham: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 f5 6. exf5
Interesting Anecdote
In the 1989 Biel Interzonal, future World Champion Viswanathan Anand uncorked 6. exf5 against GM Lajos Portisch, winning in 23 moves. The veteran grandmaster remarked, “I felt as if the young man ripped off my f-pawn and never gave it back.”