4. Ruy Lopez

JL he Ruy Lopez was named after a Spanish clergyman, Ruy Lopez of Safra, in Estramadura. About the middle of the sixteenth century, he edited a systematic work of one hundred and fifty pages, which presented the results of research into the openings.

First noticed by the writer of the Göttingen Ms. (1490) and later analyzed by other authors, including Lopez, the opening was seldom adopted in actual play until the middle of the last century. Credit for discovering its potency is due the Russian analyst, Jaenisch, who probed its possibilities dur­ing the years 1842-68.

White's third move, 3 B-N5, characterizes the Lopez. It is a move which attacks an adverse piece that is bearing on the center squares. Hence it exerts direct pressure on the center in an indirect manner.

The patterns which evolve from this opening are close and positional in the budding period. When in full bloom, how­ever, there is a tendency towards wide-open play.

The opening arises as follows:

1 P-K4 P-K4 2 N-KB3 N-QB3

3 B-N5 . . . .

White's last move is the signal for the opening strategical skirmish for control of the center. Pressure on Black's Knight, which defends its King Pawn, is the motivating reason.

The development of White's King Knight and King Bishop paves the way for early King-side castling. In turn, the King Rook may soon join the fray.

3           . . . . P-QR3

This move is the basis of Black's future defensive forma­tion. Since he may not have the opportunity to do so later on, Black drives White's Bishop at once.

Alternatives are 3 ... N-B3, 3 ... B-B4 and 3 . . . N-Q5. These defenses are not in vogue today.

4           B-R4 . . . .

White retreats. If 4 BxN, QPxB; 5 NxP, Q-Q5! recovers the Pawn because of the simultaneous attack on Knight and Pawn. Since White cannot win a Pawn by the exchange, there is no point to swapping a Bishop for a Knight.

It is to be noted that the reason White cannot win a Pawn is that his own King Pawn is unprotected. The retreat of the Bishop consequently is a marking-time maneuver, with a view to exchanging at a more propitious moment, when White's King Pawn is defended.

4 . . . . N-B3

Since White cannot win a Pawn by BxN, followed by NxP, Black has nothing to fear. He proceeds with his own develop­ment, attacking White's center Pawn.

5 O-O! . . . .

Usually, when a Pawn is attacked, it should be defended. Here, for example, White's King Pawn is attacked, and it might be defended by 5 P-Q3 or 5 N-B3. These moves, in fact, are al­ternatives to the text. Because of tactical reasons, however, which will soon become apparent, White need not defend the Pawn at this moment. And by this omission, White gains time to build up a strong formation which he has in mind.

The point becomes clearer when White's plan is revealed. He intends to establish a Pawn center by playing P-B3, fol­lowed by P-Q4. If he defends his King Pawn by playing 5 N-B3, he pre-empts the square QB3 for the Knight and conse­quently cannot use it for P-B3. If he defends the Pawn with 5 P-Q3, he must abandon the idea of playing P-Q4 later. Else, he loses time by advancing his Pawn to Q4 in two moves, in­stead of one. Any immediate defense of the King Pawn has cer­tain drawbacks.

5 . . . . B-K2

The text move and 5 ... NxP are good alternatives at this point. 5 ... NxP will be discussed in the next chapter. For the present, suffice it to say that, if 5 ... NxP, White can re­cover the Pawn in various ways, the simplest being 6 R-Kl.

From Black's point of view, it can be seen that the removal of White's King Pawn clears the path leading to the Black King. If the Pawn goes, a White Rook at Kl faces the opposing monarch. And this spells danger. It is with this in mind, that Black makes the text move.

The Bishop at K2 serves to shield the King from a subse­quent attack on the King file. The move really is anticipator)'. Since the danger is lessened, Black is in a better position to threaten to capture the King Pawn.

Incidentally, other moves with the Bishop will not do as well. For instance, 5 ... B-Q3 is disadvantageous as the Bishop on Q3 blocks the advance of Black's Queen Pawn. The immobility of the Queen Pawn, in turn, ties up Black's entire Queen-side. 5 ... B-B4 fails because White can play 6 NxP! Then, if ... NxN; 7 P-Q4 and White recovers the piece and holds greater control of the central squares. 5 ... B-N5 will not do, as White counters with the move he intends to make in any event—P-B3. Then the Bishop has to retreat and White gains his goal at Black's expense.

6 R-Kl . . . .

White defends the King Pawn. Now it is inadvisable to grant Black the option of capturing the Pawn.

6 . . . .P-QN4

Since White's King Pawn is defended, the threat of 7 BxN, QPxB; 8 NxP, gaining a Pawn, is real. Observe that 8 ... Q-Q5 in this instance will not retrieve the Pawn. That is why Black destroys the threat by driving the Bishop.

7           B-N3 P-Q3

Black's last move has a threefold purpose: (I) it defends the King Pawn; (2) it permits the development of the Queen Bishop along its normal diagonal; (3) it institutes the minor threat of 8 ... N-QR4, followed by 9 ... NxB, gaining a Bishop for a Knight.

8           P-B3 . . . .

8 . . . . N-QR4

White's move has a twofold purpose: (I) it creates an exit for the Bishop, in the event it is attacked by the adverse Knight; (2) it prepares for the establishment of a Pawn center, with the Queen Bishop Pawn serving as a prop.

At first sight, this appears to be a purposeless move. The Knight moves out on a limb, merely to attack a Bishop, which will retreat. Closer examination will not reveal the purpose of the move. Only a knowledge of what Black has in mind will clarify the maneuver.

Black is following a preconceived plan. White's plan is to advance his Pawn to Q4, put pressure on Black's King Pawn and compel Black to exchange Pawns. Then White recaptures with the Bishop Pawn. The disappearance of Black's King Pawn, in effect, will be tantamount to the surrender of the cen­ter to White.

Black's plan is a parry to White's. He moves the Knight to clear the path of his Queen Bishop Pawn. He aims for a Pawn formation of his own in which the Queen Bishop Pawn plays an important part—in challenging or staying White's ambition to take over the center.

Since the opening has been played time and again, the best plans of both contestants are known to each other. Each side, therefore, is in position to anticipate and counter the other's ideas in the most effective manner.

9 B-B2 . . . .

The Bishop retreats, even at the expense of a move. For a Bishop is stronger than a Knight, and White wishes to avoid the exchange.

9 . . . . P-B4

This is the reason for Black's 8th move. With Black's Knight at QB3, the Bishop Pawn was fixed.

Now, when, as and if White plays P-Q4, Black still exerts as much pressure on White's center as White on Black's. More­over, Black's square QB2 is vacated and Black's Queen can oc­cupy it to defend the King Pawn—again, when, as and if it is attacked.

Black's Queen-side Pawn structure is an effective one, known commonly as the Tchigorin formation.

All this delicate maneuvering is to balance the scale as far as the center is concerned.

10 P-Q4 ....

Actively striking at the center. The passive line, 10 P-Q3, also has much in its favor and will be discussed in another chapter.

10         . . . . Q-B2

Defending the King Pawn, which is doubly attacked. Note that this is possible only because of Black's 9th, which was pre­paratory to the text.

The exchange of Pawns: 10 . . . KPxP; 11 PxP, PxP; 12 NxP would be the surrender of the center to White. Moreover, Black would remain with an isolated and backward Queen Pawn.

Even the exchange of one Pawn in the center would benefit White. Thus, if 10 . . . BPxP; 11 PxP, the resulting open Queen Bishop file eventually would accrue to White. Or, if 10 . . . KPxP; 11 PxP leaves White in control of the center with good prospects for attack because of the added possibility of an eventual P-K5.

11         P-KR3 ....

The move P-KR3, as a general rule, does more harm than good. In this case, for example, it weakens White's King-side flank to a minor extent. The weakness, however, in this in­stance, is more than offset by the gain in other directions. Here,

the Pawn at R3 prevents Black from pinning White's King Knight with . . . B-N5. The pin would not be fatal for White, but it would mitigate the pressure which the White Knight exerts in the center.

In addition, the Pawn at R3 serves as a prop for an eventual P-KN4 and an all-out advance of the King-side Pawns against the opposing King—when the position calls for it.

11 . . . . O-O

The skirmish to gain control of the center is a stand off; Black's defense has not yielded to White's pressure.

12 QN-Q2 ....

Such a Knight move is normally condemned by the layman. For the Knight at Q2 interferes with the development of the Queen Bishop. The interference, however, is only temporary. In one move, the Knight can clear the path.

More important is its purpose. What does it portend? . . . It is the beginning of a maneuver to transfer the Knight to the King-side of the board. Why the King-side? . . . Because White is making plans to institute a King-side attack. In order to do this, he must bring forces within the range of the oppos­ing King.

12N-B3

So long as the tension exists in the center, it is difficult for either side to undertake a constructive plan on the wings. Since White is contemplating a King-side assault, Black piles on the pressure in the center—to keep White employed in that sector.

13 P-Q5 . . . .

As there is no way for White to put additional pressure on Black's center and compel Black to exchange Pawns, White ends the tension in the center by the advance of the Pawn. This relieves White of the need to guard the center and frees him for operating on the wing. In this instance, it is the King's wing in which White is interested.

13 . . . . N-Ql

Of course, with the end of the center tension, Black is also free to operate in other sectors.

A unique move which has all the superficial appearances of inanity. From Ql, the Knight cannot go the K3 or back to B3. Yet at QN2, it has little bearing on the position. Moreover, it interferes now with the communications between Black's other forces.

Despite appearances, 13 ... N-Ql is a good move. It is the first step in the plan to build up a defense against White's contemplated assault on the Black King. Follow the Knight meanderings to its final destination to observe what Black has in mind.

14 N-Bl . . . .

Primarily to maneuver the Knight to the King-side; sec­ondarily to clear the path of the Bishop.

14          . . . . N-Kl

This is another unique move in Black's concealed plan of defense. Its immediate purpose is to threaten a break by the advance 15 . . . P-KB4. Its long-term purpose will become clear when the final pattern of Black's defense is woven.

15          P-KN4 . . . .

This advance forestalls Black's intended break. That, how­ever, is not the main purpose of the move. As a matter of strat­egy, it is important to provoke weaknesses in the enemy camp. To do so by a Pawn advance is the least expensive way. In an assault which stands a fair chance of success, Pawns are ex­pendable. Thus, the Pawns advance with a view to provoking weaknesses or opening gaps, and the major pieces will follow, intent upon exploitation.

True, White's Pawn advance is double-edged. Any Pawn advance is inherently weak. Here, the weakness is relatively unimportant at this stage of the game, while there is a respecta­ble attack brewing. So long as the attack is significant, the weakness will not show up. Should the attack fail, however, there is danger that White's weaknesses will boomerang. But such a possibility, if it does arise, will turn up only at a much later stage of the game.

15          . . . . P-N3

With a dual purpose. The immediate reason for the move is to create a square at KN2 for the King Knight, where it will serve in a defensive capacity. The long-term purpose is to keep an eye on the possible break . . . P-B4, should the opportunity present itself.

16          N-N3 . . . .

Attaining the object of the Knight maneuver, which was to bring the Knight into the vicinity of the adverse King.

16 . . . . P-B3

To vacate the square . . . KB2 so that the Knight on Ql can move up for defense. The secret of Black's 13 . . . N-Ql is out.

17 K-R2 . . . .

To clear the King Knight file for future occupation by White's Rooks—all part and parcel of a grand attacking plan.

17         . . . . N-B2

Building a defensive barrier, in anticipation of the attack.

18         R-KN1 . . . .

Despite the presence of White and Black Pawns on the King Knight file, the Rook bears down, indirectly, upon the Black Monarch. White is looking ahead to the time when the Pawns may be cleared off the file.

18          . . . . K-Rl

To get out of the line of fire of the adverse Rook.

19          B-K3 . . . .

This assists in clearing the first rank so as to enable the Queen Rook to join the King-side assault.

19 . . . . N-N2

Consolidating the defensive barrier. The final destinations of the Black Knights in the opening are achieved.

20 Q-Q2 . . . .

Completely clearing the way for the Queen Rook to join the fray. White also eyes B-R6 as a possibility.

20         . . . . B-Q2

To clear the last rank so as to enable both Black Rooks to cooperate.

21         R-KN2 . . . .

Vacating KN1 for the Queen Rook.

21         . . . . R-KN1

Neutralizing the indirect pressure on the King Knight file.

22         QR-KN1. . . .

Thereby joining the attack in full force. White's last is technically called "doubling the Rooks."

To all intents and appearance, White has the initiative. Black, however, is well poised for defense. With best play, a draw should result.

A cardinal wit summed up the position succinctly with "Black will probably win. White's attacking chances will un­doubtedly drive him into a rash action."

Conclusions

Of all the openings beginning with 1 P-K4, the Ruy Lopez offers a longer-lasting initiative to White, with the least amount of speculation.

Current opinion concludes that the patterns evolving from this opening should result in a draw. The onus of best play, however, generally rests with Black, as he is the defender. One misstep in the defense is fatal.

Chess Movie

THE GREAT FALL

All the King's horses and all the King's men push Humpty Dumpty (the Black Monarch) right off the wall in this modern version of the great fall. Salo Flohr conducts the White forces with unusual vigor, sacrificing nearly more men than there are on the board! F. Lustig is the victim, and the game was played at Prague in 1928. It opens with 1 P-K4, P-K4; 2 N-KB3, N-QB3; 3 B-N5, P-QR3; 4 B-R4, N-B3 (see diagram No. l).

I

The game continues: 5 Q-K2, B-K2; 6 P-B3, P-QN4; 7 B-N3, P-Q3; 8 P-KR3, N-QR4; 9 B-B2, P-B4; JO P-Q4, Q-B2; 22 O-O, O-O. This makes an illustrative game for the analysis preced­ing, as the standard line has been reached. The Queen at K2 doesn't alter the general pattern.

2

 Intent upon a King-side assault, Flohr relaxes the center tension with 12 P-Q5. Lustig counters with a Queen-side advance . . . P-B5, as he underestimates the power of the coming on­slaught against his King. Both sides continue their develop­ment: 13 B-K3, B-Q2, ready­ing for the next round.

7

With one fell stroke, the White King Bishop aims at the Black mon­arch, and the White Queen Knight has gained a new base for operations at K4. Lustig takes 23 . . . QPxP, and Flohr moves in: 24 N-K4. Lustig covers with . . . N-B2, and there follows: 25 BxN, KxB. Can Black now survive?

8

Flohr plays 26 N-R4, and Lustig counters with . . . N-Q3. Now Flohr takes a do or die stand: 27 NxBP! and the Black bar­rier is breached. Lustig ac­cepts the sacrifice by ... BxN. Flohr hits hard with 28 P-N5. The fur is flying, and it is difficult to keep track of the fast-moving action.

9

 Lustig defends with 28 . . . N-Kl, and Flohr rains another blow at the ill-fated King: 29 NxP!! Lustig takes . . . PxN, and the action waxes fast and fu­rious: 30 BxP, KxB; 31 Q-K4ch. At long last and at the expense of all of three pieces, the Black monarch is nakedly exposed—to a fatal chill!

10

The King retreats, 31 I V ... K-N2, seeking pro­tection, and there fol­lows a peaceful haymaker: 32 Q-R4. Now follows: 32 . . . K-Nl; 33 PxB, NxP; 34 Q-N5ch, K-Rl; 35 RxN and the well-known spite check . . . Q-B4ch. Flohr simply retires gracefully: 36 K-R2, and Lus­tig gives up the ghost.

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