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Schliemann Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5. Black hits White's e4 pawn at once against the Ruy Lopez. The aim is to open the f-file and seize the initiative.
The idea
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5 strikes at e4 at once against the Ruy Lopez. Black offers the f-pawn to open the f-file and get rid of White's strong e4 pawn. If White plays carelessly, Black's pieces come alive with …Nf6, …Bc5 and a quick attack on the king.
What happens next
After 4.Nc3 fxe4 5.Nxe4 d5 6.Nxe5 dxe4 7.Nxc6 Qg5 Black attacks g2 and the knight; after 4.d3 fxe4 5.dxe4 Nf6 Black develops and castles with an active position. Black's play is about the f-file and the central pawns.
How to play against it
4.Nc3 is the main line: after 4…fxe4 5.Nxe4 d5 6.Nxe5 dxe4 7.Nxc6 Qg5 8.Qe2 Nf6 9.f4 White has the better game. The quieter 4.d3 is reliable and keeps the structure: 4…fxe4 5.dxe4 Nf6 6.O-O and White's pieces are well placed.
A key line
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann / Jaenisch Gambit
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