Open Spanish: 6.Re1 Nc5 7.Bxc6
Spanish (Ruy Lopez)
Definition
The Spanish Opening—more commonly called the Ruy Lopez after the 16th-century Spanish priest and chess author Ruy López de Segura—begins with the moves:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
White immediately puts pressure on the e5-pawn, prepares rapid development, and lays the foundation for long-term positional play centered on the d2–d4 break, kingside attacks, or endgame advantages.
Typical Move Orders & Major Branches
- 3…a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 – Main starting position for the Open, Closed, Berlin, and Marshall systems.
- 3…Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 – Immediate Open Variation (rare).
- Other replies include 3…d6 (Steinitz), 3…f5 (Schliemann), and 3…Bc5 (Classical/Arcángel).
Strategic Themes
- Central Tension. White’s Bb5 and potential d2-d4 confront Black’s e-pawn and c6-knight.
- Bishop vs Knight Imbalance. After exchanges on c6 or b5, doubled pawns and the bishop pair become key factors.
- Quiet vs Dynamic Choices. The Spanish lets both players steer the game toward closed maneuvering (Closed Spanish) or tactical melees (Open, Marshall).
Historical Significance
The Ruy Lopez has been the battleground of world-championship matches from Steinitz–Zukertort (1886) to Carlsen–Karjakin (2016). Its longevity stems from the rich variety of plans for both sides.
Illustrative Example
Kasparov vs Deep Blue, Game 2, 1997, featured a razor-sharp Archangel line (3…a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bc5) demonstrating how far modern engines pushed Spanish theory.
Interesting Facts
- The oldest known Ruy Lopez game was played in 1575, and the opening still headlines top-level events today.
- Mikhail Chigorin famously called 3.Bb5 “the soul of chess” for the strategic richness it introduces.
Spanish: Open Variation (Open Spanish)
Definition
The Open Spanish arises after Black captures the e4-pawn early, opening the center for vigorous piece activity:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4
Typical Move Order
The critical tabiya after 5…Nxe4 continues:
6. d4 Be7 7. Re1 b5 8. Bb3 d5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. dxe5 c6
…but a major branch (and the focus of the next section) is 6. Re1.
Strategic Ideas
- Active Piece Play. Black accepts a mildly compromised pawn structure in exchange for a lead in development and open lines for rooks and bishops.
- Central Counter-punching. …d5 is the thematic break; if achieved safely, Black often equalises or seizes the initiative.
- Imbalanced Middlegames. The pawn on e4 can remain a target, and both sides must calculate concrete tactics from an early stage.
Historical & Modern Use
The Open Spanish was a favorite of Emanuel Lasker and later championed by Max Euwe. In modern times Fabiano Caruana used it extensively in the 2014 Candidates Tournament and the Sinquefield Cup, scoring key wins with Black.
Famous Encounters
- Karpov vs Unzicker, Nice Olympiad 1974 – A classical model where Black equalised comfortably and later prevailed.
- Caruana vs Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2019 – Demonstrated refined modern move orders, including an early …Be6 to sidestep deep preparation.
Interesting Facts
- The move 5…Nxe4 was once considered risky; Steinitz preferred the solid 5…Be7. Computer analysis has revived the Open Spanish as one of Black’s most dynamic equalising attempts.
- Because of its concrete nature, engines often rate the Open Spanish close to equality, yet over-the-board it remains daunting for unprepared White players.
Line: 6.Re1 Nc5 7.Bxc6 (Open Spanish Sub-Variation)
Definition & Move Sequence
This sub-line appears after the initial Open Spanish moves:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Re1 Nc5 7. Bxc6 dxc6
White immediately exchanges on c6, doubling Black’s c-pawns while forcing the knight off the central e4-square.
Strategic & Tactical Features
- Doubled Pawns vs Bishop Pair. Black inherits the two bishops and open lines, compensating for the structural weakness on c6 and c7.
- Half-Open d-File. After …dxc6, Black’s rook can quickly come to d8, putting pressure on White’s d-pawn once it advances to d4.
- Time & Initiative. White loses a tempo (Bxa4-c6) but damages Black’s structure; immediate tactical shots around Rxe5 are common themes.
Plans for Both Sides
- White often proceeds with 8.d4 Ne6 9.Nxe5, eyeing c6 and e5 while trying to complete development with Nc3, Be3, and Qf3.
- Black aims for …Be7, …O-O, and timely …c5 or …Qf6, exploiting the bishop pair and central files.
Model Game
Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship (Seville) 1987, Game 17 followed this line for several moves. Kasparov’s 12.c4!? introduced a new pawn lever, leading to a complex middlegame where the doubled c-pawns eventually became assets, not liabilities.
Key Theoretical Notes
- After 8.Nxe5 Be7 9.d4 Ne6 10.c3, engines nowadays hold the position to be roughly level, with colours trading structural vs dynamic trumps.
- A modern refinement for Black is 8…Be7 9.d4 exd4 10.Nd2 O-O, when Black’s minor-piece activity compensates for the queenside blemishes.
PGN Snapshot
Interesting Facts
- This line frequently transposes into Open Spanish endgames, where endgame virtuosos such as Anatoly Karpov feel at home.
- Because the pawn on c6 cramps Black’s own knight and bishop, some players jokingly refer to it as the “self-inflicted backward pawn”—until those same players get mated by the long-diagonal Spanish bishops!