Spanish: Anderssen, 5...d6 6.c3 g6

Spanish: Anderssen, 5...d6 6.c3 g6

Definition

The line “Spanish: Anderssen, 5…d6 6.c3 g6” is a sub-variation of the Ruy Lopez (also called the Spanish Opening) that arises after the following moves:

• 1. e4 e5
• 2. Nf3 Nc6
• 3. Bb5 a6 (Morphy Defence)
• 4. Ba4 Nf6
• 5. O-O d6
• 6. c3 g6

It is catalogued in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings under C70–C71 and is named after the 19th-century attacking genius Adolf Anderssen, who experimented with early …g6 set-ups against 1.e4.

Typical Usage

Players who choose this variation with Black usually have one or more of the following objectives:

• Create a solid “Spanish Philidor” structure with …d6 while sidestepping heavily-analysed main lines such as the Closed (…Be7) or Open (…Nxe4) Ruy.
• Fianchetto the king’s bishop to g7, obtaining long-term pressure on the e5 pawn and the a1–h8 diagonal.
• Adopt a flexible, hyper-modern stance in which the centre is first restrained and only later challenged by …d5 or …f5.

Strategic Themes

Although the set-up looks quiet, play often acquires a strong strategic flavor reminiscent of a King’s Indian Defence:

• Central tension: White nearly always pushes d2-d4 at some moment. Black must decide whether to maintain the strong point on e5 or eventually exchange it by …d5.
• Bishop pair: Black’s fianchettoed bishop counters White’s Spanish bishop on b3 or c2. If the light-squared bishops are exchanged on e6 or g7, the resulting endgames frequently favor White’s space advantage.
• Kingside pawn breaks: Plans with …f5 or …h6 & …g5 give Black chances for an initiative, but they require precise timing because the e5 pawn can become weak.
• Slow manoeuvring: Both sides often spend 10–15 moves regrouping knights via Nbd2–f1–g3 or …Nf6–d7–f8–e6.

Historical Notes

• Anderssen trialed early …g6 in a few informal games during the 1850s. The idea was later picked up by players seeking a surprise weapon against the deeply analysed main lines of the Ruy Lopez.
• The variation never became fully mainstream, but it has been adopted occasionally by elite grandmasters as a low-theory, “play-for-a-game” choice—Gata Kamsky, Vugar Gashimov, and Peter Leko have all tried it.
• In modern engines’ opinion, Black’s position is sound but offers White a small pull; hence it is popular in rapid or blitz events where deep theoretical knowledge is less critical.

Illustrative Mini-Game

[[Pgn| e4|e5|Nf3|Nc6|Bb5|a6|Ba4|Nf6|O-O|d6|c3|g6|d4|Bd7|Re1|Bg7|h3|O-O|Nbd2|Re8|Bc2|h6|Nf1|exd4|cxd4|d5|e5|Ne4|Ne3|Be6|Ng4|Bxg4|hxg4|Qd7|g5|hxg5|Nxg5|Nxg5|Bxg5| fen|r4rk1/ppqb1bp1/3ppgp1/n1n5/3Pp3/B1P5/P1B2PP1/R1BQRNK1 w - - 0 20| arrows|e4e5,e5e4|squares|e5,b7 ]]

The game fragment (a composite of several GM encounters) shows typical ideas: Black strikes with …d5 followed by …Ne4, while White hunts for space on the kingside and the d5-square.

Sample Plans for Both Sides

1. White
   • Play d2-d4 and Re1 to pressure e5.
   • Re-route the f3-knight via d2-f1-g3 aiming at f5 & h5.
   • Expand on the queenside with a2-a4 if Black castles early.
2. Black
   • Break in the centre with …d5 when tactically justified.
   • Prepare …f5 with …Re8, …h6, and possibly …Kh7.
   • Avoid exchanging the dark-squared bishop unless it wins material; it is the cornerstone of Black’s defence.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Adolf Anderssen is best known for spectacular attacking masterpieces such as the “Immortal Game.” Ironically, the defence that bears his name is rather restrained and positional.
• Because the move …g6 appears on move six—the same move order that introduces the Dragon in the Sicilian—some commentators jokingly call this line “The Ruy Dragon.”
• Engine analysis suggests that the immediate 6…Bg7 without …g6 is slightly more precise, yet most human players prefer 6…g6 to keep options open.

Further Exploration

Studying model games by positional specialists such as Vladimir Kramnik (with White) and Peter Leko (with Black) is an excellent way to grasp the subtleties of this uncommon but strategically rich variation. A quick database search under the string “Ruy Lopez – Anderssen 5…d6 6.c3 g6” will return fewer than 1,000 master-level games—ideal territory for an opening explorer looking to leave mainstream theory behind.