Now my question is: I'm playing the Ruy Lopez for white in my 10 minute games, and I'm kinda confused when is the right time to play Nc3 over the "normal" RLopez move c3? And when the position arises that Nc3 is a good move, should I play h3 first? (preventing Bg4 pin thus allowing my Queen to move)
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Both excellent questions. When I have some time I will share my perspective.
I am a d4 player but I thought that in Ruy Lopez the b1 knight went to d2 , f1 ,e3 or g3 aiming at f5 with c3 and d4 thrust in the centre
@ShyamGopal yes it is the general plan of the Rlopez, but it isnt always the best. The move c3 blocks the natural development square for the knight. And nbd2 blocks in the darksquare bishop and interfere with the Queen's view of the center. At least that's how I see it.
I looked up and saw this line. A good example of a position where choosing Nc3 over c3 (or h3 over c3?) is better.
Superior development is increasingly important the more open the position is. The Ruy Lopez can lead to either rather open or rather closed positions... so I suspect that Nc3 is better in rather open positions, and c3 (and Nbd2) is better in rather closed positions.
Superior development is increasingly important the more open the position is. The Ruy Lopez can lead to either rather open or rather closed positions... so I suspect that Nc3 is better in rather open positions, and c3 (and Nbd2) is better in rather closed positions.
Okay, but I'm a bit confused. The term "open position" means that the position have open lines for the pieces right? That means pawn exchanges. Isn't the move c3 used for the support of the d4 push which challenges Black's e5 pawn potentially opening lines for his pieces?
Nc3 on the other hand does develop a piece and exerts influence in the center. But the problem that I see with Nc3 is that it is usually countered by a Bg4 pin, and the Nf3 is in an inconvenient spot (due to the lack of support of the Nbd2)
Hi.
The title almost gave it all. Let me explain a little bit. I know that in 1.d4 openings, moving the c-pawn 1 (to bolster the center) or 2 (to crack at the d5 pawn, or gain central and qside space) squares is a must. That gives white an easy (I suppose) development of the Qside since the move Nc3 is readily accessible.
Now my question is: I'm playing the Ruy Lopez for white in my 10 minute games, and I'm kinda confused when is the right time to play Nc3 over the "normal" RLopez move c3? And when the position arises that Nc3 is a good move, should I play h3 first? (preventing Bg4 pin thus allowing my Queen to move)
Your thoughts will be appreciated. Cheers!