Ruy Lopez Exchange -- Punishable line?

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PanchoPippin

I'm curious on thoughts about the following line:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. 0-0 Bg4 6. h3 Bh5

The standard line for black to play is 6... h5 and white cannot take the Bishop. The book I read on the Lopez exchange suggests that 6... Bh5 is a bad move because white can play 7. g4 Bg6 8. Nxe5 and be a pawn up.

But when opponents have played this against me and I go a pawn up, the engines don't give white much of an edge and it definitely feels like Black has compensation for the pawn in the form of holes on the kingside.

Is there something I am missing about how I should be punishing 6... Bh5, or is this a perfectly playable line?

poucin

It is quite playable for black and is given in the book "dangerous weapons Ruy Lopez".

Assessing it as bad is a myth or at least a bad evaluation because theory changed its mind about this line. But some books and most players didnt update...

poucin

This line is indeed probably equal, though the main line in 6...h5 variation should me something like this :

I played this for a while with black, with good results, but I feel white's position is easier and healthier.

Anyway, the thread is about Bh5, not h5...