C89advanced

Ruy Lopez: Marshall Attack

A legendary gambit where Black sacrifices a pawn for a ferocious attack. Prepared by Frank Marshall and first played in 1918.

32%
White wins
38%
Draw
30%
Black wins

Main Line Moves

1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5a64.Ba4Nf65.O-OBe76.Re1b57.Bb3O-O8.c3d59.exd5Nxd510.d4Bg4

Key Ideas

  • 1Black sacrifices the e5 pawn for rapid piece activity
  • 2The rook comes to e8 with tempo on the White queen
  • 3Black gets long-lasting attacking chances on the kingside
  • 4One of the most deeply analyzed gambits in chess history

Variations

Main Line

e4e5Nf3Nc6Bb5a6Ba4Nf6O-OBe7Re1b5Bb3O-Oc3d5exd5Nxd5d4Bg4Be3

White counters with Be3, supporting the center

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