Wondering if someone could simply elaborate on this for me. I'm beginning the Chess Mentor Opening Study Plans. Curious about the move 5. 0-0 which leaves the e4 pawn hanging. I'm not totally clear on why this is. In games I play, I always see 5. d3. Is black somehow worse if they grab the pawn? Thank you for any input. It is very helpful.
Ruy Lopez Closed Mainline hanging pawn 5. 0-0
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I suspect it is Okay for black to take the pawn.
I also don`t think it will end up being a free pawn.
I think white will somehow be able to win the black e pawn back in some way.
So it would probably be a fair trade of both centre pawns if that happens.
I play this line against Nxe4, but taking on e4 rarely happens...
Here's a game in this line that I love to comment on because I was at it (and still have the ticket stubb):