57. Classical Cordel Defence (3...Bc5 4.c3)
The Cordel develops the bishop to c5 on move 3. White replies with the classical manoeuvre c3 and d4, conquering the centre and punishing the presence of the exposed bishop.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.e5 Ne4 7.cxd4 Bb4+ 8.Bd2
Move by move
- 1.e4 – White takes the centre and opens the diagonals for the queen and the f1-bishop. In the Ruy Lopez this pawn will often be at the heart of the fight: Black will attack it with ...Nf6 and, in the Open Variation, will even capture it with ...Nxe4.
- 1...e5 – Black answers symmetrically: it contests d4 and f4, prevents e4-e5 and frees the f8-bishop. From here White will build the whole Ruy Lopez on pressure against this pawn.
- 2.Nf3 – Develops the knight with a direct attack on the e5 pawn, which now has to be defended. The knight also prepares kingside castling and supports a future d2-d4 push.
- 2...Nc6 – Defends e5 while developing a piece and controlling d4. This very knight, the only defender of e5, will be the target of White's next move.
- 3.Bb5 – The Ruy Lopez: the bishop attacks the c6-knight, the defender of e5. There is no immediate threat yet (Bxc6 dxc6 Nxe5 Qd4 regains the pawn), but the pressure on c6 will last throughout the opening.
- 3...Bc5 – The Cordel Defence: the bishop goes to c5, towards f2, and Black leaves the pin on c6 for later.
- 4.c3 – Against the Cordel White prepares d4 with tempo on the c5-bishop.
- 4...Nf6 – Black counterattacks e4 with the knight instead of defending the c5-bishop.
- 5.d4 – White occupies the centre: d4 attacks the c5-bishop and the e5 pawn.
- 5...exd4 – Black captures on d4 and prepares ...Ne4: White answers with the e5 push.
- 6.e5 – The push attacks the f6-knight and gains space.
- 6...Ne4 – The knight settles actively on e4, from where it attacks f2, d2 and c3.
- 7.cxd4 – Recaptures with the pawn and attacks the c5-bishop.
- 7...Bb4+ – An intermediate check: the bishop saves itself with check.
- 8.Bd2 – Parries the check by developing the bishop and offering the exchange.
How to exploit the position
White has a d4-e5 centre and more space; Black has active pieces on b4 and e4.
- After ...Nxd2 Nbxd2 White completes development with O-O and Re1.
- Qb3 attacks the b4-bishop and the f7 pawn.
- Push d5 to chase the c6-knight.
- The e5 pawn takes the f6 square away from Black: use it for an attack on the kingside.
Master tips
Transposing into the best lines of the Italian Game
Against 3...Bc5 play 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4! exd4 6.e5! Ne4 7.cxd4 Bb4+ 8.Bd2 at once.