Ruy Lopez Zaitsev(Fianchetto) - Chess Forums

white_and_fuzzy

Jun 9, 2008

0

#1

I'm playing Zaitsev variation of Ruy Lopez. Unlike other Ruy variations play is sharp and complicated. The main line runs:

Is there someone playing this line and what do you think about it?

oneEfour

Jun 10, 2008

0

#2

A number of GMs have played this. Keres, I think, offhand. Spassky was one of the few who did not (amongst Russians), but I have played against this a few time. And found that it is an interesting try for Black. It usually continues 11. d5 Nb8, correct? As White I enjoy this position if only because of the slight space advantage and the ability to use a4 to break the Queenside open at the right time. Furthermore, the Knight moves d2-f1-g/e3 offer a number of choices depending on Black's play. If you are confident in it, I would not hesitate to play it, thought I recently saw a Tal game that featured a gorgeous Knight sac to win against this line. Don't become passive or White can smother you on both sides of the board!

Good luck with it.

white_and_fuzzy

Jun 13, 2008

0

#3

Thats right. The only problem with Zaitsev is that often White unleashes an attack and often i just cant survive an attack on kingside beggining with moves like Ng5, Qg4 and so on. I really started thinking about Open Ruy Lopez,Petroff and Winawer French after a couple of tournament games. Can theese three openings be a god weapon for a one whos defence is pretty bad but attack is real strengh?

CarlMI

Jun 13, 2008

0

#4

I've had a few pieces sac'd on my kingside in this line and watched my King shrivel in the open air that resulted. If you want to attack as Black against e4 you almost have to look at the Sicilian. The Open Ruy has potential but you need to have other options in hand against the Scotch and Guiocco, the Petroff is not the weapon you are looking for and the Winawer is usually sidestepped. You could try the Alekhine if you're into hypermodern.

BirdsDaWord

Jun 13, 2008

0

#5

white_and_fuzzy wrote:

Thats right. The only problem with Zaitsev is that often White unleashes an attack and often i just cant survive an attack on kingside beggining with moves like Ng5, Qg4 and so on. I really started thinking about Open Ruy Lopez,Petroff and Winawer French after a couple of tournament games. Can theese three openings be a god weapon for a one whos defence is pretty bad but attack is real strengh?

I have recently taken up the French Winawer and the Advance French, and it is the happiest I have ever been with any opening against 1. e4, PERIOD. It is due to my style - I like to push open lines with pawns, and then attack with pieces, not the other way around. Plus, the system is flexible, very flexible, I do believe. I detest creating balances with pieces. I would rather create imbalances that are flexbile. I have played the Petroff with decent results, but just did not get the satisfaction out of the opening. I have not played the Ruy Lopez with the Black side yet, but I don't think I want to weaken my queenside to chase a bishop that isn't bothering me - I would probably play the Berlin if I picked one. I have tried many Black openings against 1. e4, but I have been happiest with 1...e6 so far. You can get a good attack also. As a matter of fact, I won a piece from my opponent with the BLACK pieces in less than 15 moves the other day - he congratulated me on it.

CarlMI

Jun 13, 2008

0

#6

My problem with the Winawer is everyone kept avoiding it. I played the French for 15+ years, 80% advance, 10% KIA, 5% exchange, 5% Winawer and strange stuff.