Ruy Lopez · C78

Central Countergambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O d5

The pawns on d5 and e4 stand in direct tension - the first player to resolve it chooses the structure. Bb5 pressures the knight that guards e5; White plays the long game - c3, d4, and the b1-knight's tour to g3 - while Black holds the centre and hits back with ...b5 and ...c5.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5.
• 2... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the e5 pawn.

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