Spanish: Marshall, 9.exd5 Nxd5

Spanish: Marshall, 9.exd5 Nxd5

Definition

“Spanish: Marshall, 9.exd5 Nxd5” is the formal ECO description of the accepted Marshall Attack in the Ruy Lopez (Spanish) Opening. The position arises after:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5

Black gambits the d-pawn to rip open the centre and launch a powerful kingside initiative. The move 9.exd5 is said to “accept” the Marshall because White takes the pawn, while 9…Nxd5 is Black’s thematic knight recapture that keeps the pressure.

Typical Continuations

The main branch continues:

10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4, when all of Black’s pieces stream toward the white king.

Strategic Themes

• Piece Activity > Material. Black is a pawn down but has every piece on an ideal attacking square.
• King Safety. White’s king shelter is weakened (g- and h-files often pry open), forcing accurate defence.
• Central Tension. The e- and f-files become the battlefield; White’s extra pawn is often backward and hard to keep.
• Endgame Pay-off. If the attack fizzles, Black can steer into equal endgames thanks to the outside majority on the queenside created by …b5–b4.

Historical Notes

• Invented by U.S. champion Frank J. Marshall, who unveiled it against José Raúl Capablanca (New York 1918). Capablanca defended brilliantly and won, but the opening’s attacking potential impressed everyone.
• Adopted by many World Champions, notably Spassky, Kasparov, Anand, Kramnik, and Carlsen, often as a “drawing weapon with winning chances.”
• The line is catalogued as C89 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings.

Modern Usage

At master level, 9.exd5 Nxd5 remains one of Black’s most reliable defences to the Ruy Lopez. Engines rate the resulting positions at roughly equality, but practical chances abound for both sides. Because of its sharp theory, many White players avoid it with Anti-Marshall moves such as 8.a4, 8.h3, or 9.d4.

Illustrative Games

1. Marshall – Capablanca, New York 1918
   The debut game. Capablanca’s calm defence (notably 15…Re8!) neutralised the assault and converted the extra pawn.
2. Anand – Kasparov, PCA World Championship, New York 1995 (-G10-)
   Kasparov uncorked a home-cooked novelty on move 16 and equalised effortlessly, later winning in dazzling style.
3. Aronian – Adams, Wijk aan Zee 2013
   Shows modern defensive resources: Black accepted a queen exchange, proving the endgame is also comfortable.

Interesting Facts

• Capablanca later admitted he had seen Marshall analysing the gambit years earlier but never expected him to play it in a serious game.
• Many correspondence and engine games still choose 9.exd5 Nxd5 despite deep preparation, a testament to the line’s enduring soundness.
• The “Marshall Swindle” has become shorthand for any well-prepared pawn sacrifice that yields a long-term attack.

Key Takeaways

• 9.exd5 Nxd5 marks the accepted Marshall Attack.
• Black sacrifices one pawn for rapid development and a direct assault on the white king.
• The variation is thoroughly analysed and considered objectively equal, yet still highly dangerous.
• Understanding typical motifs—…f5, …Bd6, …Qh4, rook lifts—is essential for both colours.