The Marshall Attack is lesson 1 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 5: master sacrifices, an opening course suited to players rated around 2100 (strong club players). Ruy Lopez, Marshall Attack, C89. Black gives a pawn for a fierce attack on White's king. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is the closed Ruy Lopez. White played c3 to prepare d4. Black can strike first. Frank Marshall first played this against Capablanca in New York in 1918. About 1.1 million rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
d5! Black gives the d-pawn and then the e-pawn. White's pieces are far from the king, and Black's pieces come into play fast.
After exd5, Nxd5, Nxe5, Nxe5 and Rxe5, Black plays c6, Bd6 and Qh4. The queen goes to h3, and Black's pieces aim at White's king. Black is a pawn down, but the engines call it equal, and it is very hard for White.
Recap.
The Marshall Attack starts with d5 after c3.
Black gives a pawn for quick development.
Bd6, Qh4 and Qh3 aim at White's king.
Top players still play it today.
What you practise
First play the line. You are Black: play the moves of the Ruy Lopez, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. You are Black. White played c3. Strike in the centre with a pawn, and give it.
White does not take on d5. White plays d4 instead. Take the pawn.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are Black: play the moves of the Ruy Lopez, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. White answers c3. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. You are Black. White played c3. Strike in the centre with a pawn, and give it. That is the Marshall Attack. A pawn for long-lasting pressure on White's king.
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