Spanish Centre Attack, 5...b5 (Ruy Lopez)
Spanish: Centre Attack
Definition
The Centre Attack (or “Center Attack”) is an aggressive variation of the Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game). After the opening moves
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4,
White immediately strikes in the centre instead of the more common 5.O-O. The pawn on d4 attacks Black’s e5-pawn and seeks to open lines quickly.
Key Ideas & Strategy
- Open Centre: White hopes to open the e- and d-files, accelerating piece activity—especially the queen and rook on e1.
- Dynamic Play vs. Structural Soundness: Black often gives back the e-pawn (…exd4) and relies on solid piece placement and the half-open e-file for counterplay.
- Timing of Castling: White may castle short after 6.O-O, but sometimes keeps the king in the centre to retain extra options (e.g., Kf1–g2).
- Development Race: Both sides aim to complete development rapidly; delayed development can be fatal because the position often becomes open very quickly.
Main Branches
- 5…exd4 6.O-O d5 7.Re1 Be7 — the classical main line, leading to a balanced fight.
- 5…Nxe4?! the Dilworth Gambit-style attempt; risky because of 6.O-O Be7 7.Qe2 d5 8.Nxe5.
- 5…b5!? 6.Bb3 exd4 — transposes to some Open Ruy structures but with the bishop already on b3.
Historical Significance
The variation enjoyed a surge of popularity at the end of the 19th century. Players such as Mikhail Chigorin and Emanuel Lasker used the line to unbalance Morphy-era theory and steer games away from heavily analysed positional struggles.
Illustrative Game
Tartakower – Janowski, Paris 1909 demonstrates how quickly the centre can explode and why both sides must know the subtleties.
Interesting Facts
- The Centre Attack is one of only a handful of Ruy Lopez lines in which White voluntarily refrains from 0-0 on move 5 or 6.
- Modern engines evaluate the position after 5.d4 as roughly equal but very sharp; best play from both sides is required.
- Top grandmasters occasionally use the line as a surprise weapon in rapid and blitz, where concrete calculation trumps long-term plans.
5…b5 (in the Ruy Lopez)
Definition
5…b5 is Black’s thematic pawn thrust in the classical Morphy Defence of the Ruy Lopez: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5. The move drives the Spanish bishop from a4 to b3, gaining space on the queenside and preparing …Bb7 or …Bc5.
Strategic Purpose
- Space Gain: Creates a pawn on b5 that restricts White’s bishop and prepares …c5 in many lines.
- Bishop Pair Liberation: Clearing the a6-f1 diagonal for …Bb7 and giving Black the choice of …Bc5 or …Be7.
- Queenside Counterplay: In many closed Ruy Lopez positions, the b-pawn becomes the spearhead of Black’s queenside play.
Tactical Motifs to Know
- Bxa4 tactics: If White ever plays Bb3-a4 carelessly, Black can sometimes trap the bishop with …Nb8-c6-a5.
- …Na5 & …c5: Once the bishop sits on b3, …Na5 targets it again, and …c5 breaks the centre.
- Open Variation Transpositions: After 6.Re1 (instead of 6.Bb3), Black may play 6…d6 or 6…Be7, keeping options open.
Historical & Modern Usage
The push …b5 became standard thanks to Paul Morphy (hence “Morphy Defence”). It is so deeply embedded in Ruy Lopez theory that not playing …b5 on move 5 or 6 is considered a major deviation requiring specific justification.
Modern elite players—Carlsen, Nakamura, and Anand among them—still rely on 5…b5 as a cornerstone of their Ruy Lopez repertoires.
Example Position
Black has achieved the typical …b5 push and is ready for …Bb7 and …Re8. White’s bishop sits on b3, eyeing f7.
Famous Game
Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship 1985 (Game 16) featured the 5…b5 line. Karpov’s precise handling of the queenside allowed him to neutralise Kasparov’s kingside ambitions.
Interesting Facts
- Delaying …b5 can lead to the fashionable Berlin Defence (3…Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4) where …b5 is often omitted entirely.
- In some sidelines, Black gambits the pawn with 6…bxa4!? to open the b-file and activate the rook: a nod to Morphy’s romantic style.
- Engines confirm that 5…b5 is nearly obligatory: skipping it in classical lines (e.g., 5…Be7) gives White an edge equal to the first-move advantage plus!