51. Main Line Schliemann Gambit (3...f5 4.Nc3)
The Schliemann Gambit (3...f5) is the most violent and risky answer to the Ruy Lopez. White accepts the challenge by playing 4.Nc3! and, after 7...Qg5, the masterly move 8.Qe2! defends the king and wins the tactical battle.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5 4.Nc3 fxe4 5.Nxe4 d5 6.Nxe5 dxe4 7.Nxc6 Qg5 8.Qe2 Nf6 9.f4
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...f5 – The Schliemann Gambit: Black attacks e4 at once and opens the f-file. It is aggressive, but it weakens the e8-h5 diagonal and the kingside.
- 4.Nc3 – Develops the knight and defends e4: it is the main reply and the strongest.
- 4...fxe4 – Black captures on e4 as expected from the gambit: it opens the f-file and pulls the c3-knight away from the centre.
- 5.Nxe4 – The c3-knight recaptures on e4 and centralises: now it threatens Nxe5 and Black must act at once.
- 5...d5 – Black repels the knight with tempo and occupies the centre, but the d5 pawn frees the b5-e8 diagonal: the c6-knight is now pinned.
- 6.Nxe5 – Counterattack: instead of retreating, the knight takes e5 and attacks the pinned c6-knight.
- 6...dxe4 – Black takes the e4-knight: it has an extra piece for a moment, but the e5-knight is about to take on c6.
- 7.Nxc6 – The knight takes c6 and attacks the queen. Every subsequent move of it will uncover the check from the b5-bishop.
- 7...Qg5 – The queen saves itself with a counterattack on g2.
- 8.Qe2 – The queen goes onto the e-file against the black king: every capture on g2 would become dangerous for Black, because the c6-knight is ready to uncover check.
- 8...Nf6 – Black develops the knight to f6, which defends e4 and the h7 point, preparing ...Bd6 or ...Bc5.
- 9.f4 – Attacks the g5-queen and opens the f-file. After 9...Qxf4 White plays 10.Ne5+ with discovered check.
How to exploit the position
The black king is in the centre and the c6-knight is ready to uncover check: White has a strong attack.
- If 9...Qxf4, play 10.Ne5+ c6 11.d4: the centre opens with tempo on the queen.
- Against ...Qh4+ block with g3 and continue development with Bc4.
- Bg5 and queenside castling bring more pieces against the black king.
Master tips
The key move 8.Qe2! defuses everything
After 4.Nc3 fxe4 5.Nxe4 d5 6.Nxe5 dxe4 7.Nxc6 Qg5, don't lose your head: play the cool 8.Qe2!.