Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defence, Chigorin is variation 3 of 6 in the 1.e4 e5 for Black course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO C97). It runs 26 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 …. Against the Ruy Lopez Black kicks the bishop with ...a6 and ...b5, keeps e5 with ...d6 and plays the Chigorin plan ...Na5, ...c5 and ...Qc7 to gain queenside space and pressure d4. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... e5 – Black claims the centre.
2. Nf3 – White develops and attacks e5.
2... Nc6 – Defends e5.
3. Bb5 – The Ruy Lopez: White attacks the defender of e5.
3... a6 – The Morphy Defence: Black asks the bishop at once.
4. Ba4 – White keeps the bishop and the pin idea.
4... Nf6 – Black develops and attacks e4.
5. O-O – White castles, offering the e4 pawn.
5... Be7 – The Closed Ruy: Black develops calmly and prepares to castle.
6. Re1 – White protects e4 and now really threatens Bxc6 and Nxe5.
6... b5 – Kicks the bishop and removes the pressure on c6.
7. Bb3 – The bishop stays on the a2-g8 diagonal, aiming at f7.
7... d6 – Supports e5 and opens the c8 bishop.
8. c3 – White prepares d4.
8... O-O – Black castles.
The lesson goes on for 10 more moves, each with its explanation.
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