Hello everyone. I played a turn-based game where I went for Ruy Lopez as black (only variant I'm somewhat good at) and I was answered with 3.d4 instead of the usual 3.Bb5.

After some time analysing every possibility I came up with f6 as an answer and figured it was really strong, since it doesnt close the a3 f8 diagonal as d6 would do. It still supports the pawn making middle exchange unfavorable to white and I avoid a pin of my knight with the logic 4.Bb5. The only problem I see is that its quite passive. To my amazment there's not many game in the database that have been played this way. Since I'm no GM I just wanted to know what you guys think about it: have you ever tried it?

Well, it weakens the king, it's passive and there might be a transposition into a damianos defence alike position where your position gets rined by Qh5+.

But don't take my word for it, I might be way off.

Yeah, it's really not a good move, the e8-h5 weakening on the diagonal will come back to haunt you. There are already tactics with taking on e5 and Qh5 in the air.

3...exd4 4.Nxd4 and then 4...Bc5 or 4...Nf6 is normal.

You need to join this group where there is tons of info about the scotch.

http://www.chess.com/groups/home/the-scotch-fans-team