Spanish: Anderssen, 5…d6 6.c3 – Ruy Lopez

Spanish: Anderssen, 5…d6 6.c3

Definition

The phrase “Spanish: Anderssen, 5…d6 6.c3” designates a branch of the Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening) in which Black adopts the Anderssen Defence with …d6 on move 5, and White replies with the modest but flexible pawn advance c2–c3 on move 6. The full tabiya arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3. This sequence is catalogued in the ECO tables as C77.

Move Order

1. e4   e5
2. Nf3  Nc6
3. Bb5  a6
4. Ba4  Nf6
5. O-O   d6  (Anderssen Defence)
6. c3   (White bolsters the centre and prepares d2–d4)

Strategic Ideas

• Black’s 5…d6 is a wait-and-see approach. By refraining from the sharper 5…b5 or 5…Be7, Black strengthens the e5-pawn and keeps the f8-bishop’s development flexible.
• White’s 6.c3 supports a later d2-d4, restrains the b4-square, and creates the possibility of a queen-side expansion with a4 or b4.

• For White: Aim to play d2-d4 under favourable circumstances, gain space in the centre, and exploit the latent pressure along the a4–e8 diagonal once Ba4 or Bb5 slides back to c2.
• For Black: Decide whether to transpose into a Closed Ruy (…Be7, …O-O, …Re8) or steer play into Philidor-like structures with …Be7 and …O-O without …b5, keeping the queenside flexible.

Historical Context

The defence is named after the 19th-century German master Adolf Anderssen, famed for his sacrificial “Immortal” and “Evergreen” games. In the pre-Steinitz era, …d6 was considered a solid antidote to early opening fireworks. Modern theory views the line as a respectable but slightly passive alternative to the Marshall, Breyer, or Zaitsev systems.

Typical Plans for Each Side

White’s Plans

• Break with d2-d4, sometimes supported by Re1, h3, and Nbd2–f1–g3.
• Transfer the dark-squared bishop to c2 followed by d4–d5 against an uncastled king.
• Queenside clamp: a4 to bite on b5, later b4 to gain space.

Black’s Plans

• Classical setup: …Be7, …O-O, …Re8, and only then …b5 to avoid the anti-Marshall lines.
• Philidor-style: …g6 and …Bg7, adopting a fianchetto against White’s centre.
• Counterplay with …d5 at the right moment if White overextends.

Illustrative Game

Gligorić – Portisch, Interzonal Stockholm 1962
A textbook demonstration of White’s central break:

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Because Black withholds …b5, the move 6.c3 sometimes transposes to delayed versions of the Chigorin or Breyer Ruy, granting each side extra flexibility.
• In correspondence and engine chess, Black has experimented with the surprising pawn thrust 6…g5!?, echoing Anderssen’s own romantic style.
• World Champions from Lasker to Karpov have used the Anderssen Defence as an occasional practical weapon to sidestep heavier theory.
• Karpov unearthed an endgame-oriented plan with …h6, …g6, …Bg7, and …O-O that fits seamlessly after 6.c3, illustrating the line’s positional richness.

Summary

The Anderssen Defence with 5…d6 6.c3 is a solid, slightly under-the-radar Ruy Lopez system. It grants Black a sturdy central foothold at the cost of conceding White the initiative of space. For players who enjoy manoeuvring battles and wish to sidestep cutting-edge Marshall or Open Ruy Lopez theory, this variation provides a historically respected and strategically deep alternative.