josef5555, wrote, "Why doesn't you mention the main line?" In the introduction, I stated, "As the following game shows, the early moves are played for well established reasons and deviations to throw the opponent off are not always successful. In particular, Black's 7...d5 is best instead of 7...exd4. After 7...d5, I would advise White to stick with 8.dxe5 and not try 8.Nxe5 as played in this game." The main line is "mentioned" as better than White's deviation in this game and the earlier possible deviation for Black on move seven. In the move list I added. "(8. dxe5 is the normal book move, with good reason. The following exchange frees Black.)" This game shows why the main line is better and also shows a line not shown in books that only show the main line. One book I have shows just part of this line. Whole games are very useful to see, but books on openings can't afford the luxury of using space to show them. For the main line with 8.dxe5, go to http://www.chess.com/article/view/ruy-lopez-open-to-rudeness.

Why doesn't you mention the main line?

Good post and set up..! A well executed game by black!

wiseachoo asks, "On blacks turn, is there a disadvantage to chasing away the bishop while claiming space with 4...b5, then 5...Nf6 afterwards?"

3...a6 is played with the idea that after 4.Ba4, Black can play b5 anytime. That is a flexible concept. Playing b5 at once, may not best suit Black's plan. If the aim is simply to transpose to the Open Defense, I think White may have extra choices. Notice in that line Black plays d5 after Nxe4. If the bishop is already on b3 when Black plays 5...Nf6 6.0-0 Nxe4, then White can think about 7.Bd5. Earlier, after 5...Nf6, White can eyeball Ng5. 4...b5 has been played with 5...Na5, but not much. After 5...Nf6 6.0-0 Bb7 or d6 have been played. Then we are not playing the Open Defense.

I have a question regarding this opening.  On blacks turn, is there a disadvantage to chasing away the bishop while claiming space with 4...b5, then 5...Nf6 afterwards?

excellent.

Hi GreenLaser,

 

I totally agree that this game is very instructive (beautiful too), and thus should not be ignored just because it does not follow a main line.  I'd just put it up with a different title that reflects the most prominent themes (ie, development advantage, inadequately guarded king).  But this point is of very minor importance.  Thanks for the article.

 

UdayanOwen

love_romance13 wrote, "black played nice bt i think white missed chance to win in this game at 14th move when white took the black pawn instead of giving check.........." Do you mean 14.Qf6+? Then Black has Nxf6.

Kami5909 wrote, "Why is 15. Kh1 forced?  I would personally trade a rook for two minor pieces if it meant I could defend an attack." The move list explains why 15.Rxf2 does not defend, but loses quickly.

WHAT CATASTROPHE GREED MAY CAUSE

Why is 15. Kh1 forced?  I would personally trade a rook for two minor pieces if it meant I could defend an attack.

black played nice bt i think white missed chance to win in this game at 14th move when white took the black pawn instead of giving check..........

Truly brilliant finish

Cool!

nice game but could of preveted the chekmate!! white was 2 greedy

Hi UdayanOwen,

I understood that you had overlooked the move list. In writing an article it is impossible to avoid being selective in content and style. This is true even in books. I wanted to show one particular game because of its appeal to me. I stressed that it was not the main line. I was imagining a player on move eight wondering why the main line was played and not the alternative. The fact that this is not the main line should not relegate this game to obscurity. Yes, feedback is a collaboration.

very nice game!

That's some nasty stuff...Excellent post.

Hi GreenLaser,

 

I am fairly new here, and didn't know about the move list, so many of my comments don't apply.  Certainly there is no lack of detail, which was my main argument in my post.  I knew you acknowledged in the pre-game notes that 7...d5 is best.  I still think that the exposition could be enhanced, when discussing captures on d4, by explaining the basic problem of the pin on the open e-file.  Then after 7...d5, a little strategical explanation about the strong centre and support for the knight would be useful.  Explaining these concepts is not only instructive in itself, but it helps the student understand why 7...d5 is best.

 

I think the lesson was good for what it demonstrated about strong play, so don't get me wrong.  However, I thought if teaching the Ruy Lopez Open variation was the main goal, it might have made more sense to choose a game that follows the main line, so that it plays out strategically more like a normal Open Spanish.  I think the most prominent themes or lessons for this game are the benefits of a development advantage, and the problem with material-grabbing queen raids that waste time and put the queen out of play.  These are good lessons to learn, and the game is beautiful and instructive - just not in the sense that it demonstrates the typical strategems of the Open Spanish.  That said, by outlining the moves of the main line, and which variants to avoid, there is definitely something to be learned about the Open Spanish in this lesson.

 

So yeah, just to reiterate, I wan't meaning to be overly critical, more just offering constructive criticism from a reader's perspective.  Since you are obviously interested in educating people about chess, such feedback should be useful.  I really enjoyed the game.

Really amazing ending...

That was real chess without computers. That pin with the Bishop was brutal. Nice game, Greenlaser.