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Sources on the Open Ruy Lopez

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  bresando
  #1 May 13, 2011

  Recently,when defending against e4, i have switched from my beloved Alekhine defence to the more common ...e5. My idea is to play the Open variation of the Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Nxe4). I quite like the positions I've got so far, but i think it's time to study the line more seriously.

  I wonder if someone can suggest me a good source, not necessarily including very deep lines but just explaining the basic concepts. An alternative might be to study some master games (for example GM Vocaturo, the recent winner of Tata Steel C, uses the open quite often). 

  What's your suggestion?

  Thanks in advance.
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  offtherook
  #2 May 13, 2011

  I also play the Open Ruy somewhat regularly as black (and as a former Alekhine die-hard at that). The way to go is to first study a few master games, and then play a bunch of blitz games in the line. Make a note of what white lines caused you trouble and look up the appropriate responses. Especially at sub-Master levels of chess, make sure you know how to punish deviations from theory, since lower-rated players will very quickly play something different than the book move.

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  bresando
  #3 May 13, 2011

  Thanks for the answer. So you never used a theoretical source?

  BTW, what is your answer against 6.Re1? This should be unambitious but it's seen very often in blitz. If i remember correctly the 2 accepted reactions are 6...Nc5 and 6...b5, right?

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  offtherook
  #4 May 13, 2011

  I play 6. Re1 Nc5, and play often continues 7. Bxc6 dxc6 8. Rxe5+ Be7 9. d4 Ne6. I'm not sure if that is considered the "correct" line, but it works ok for me so far.

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  bresando
  #5 May 15, 2011

  thanks to everyone for the answers! Sorry for the lack of feedback but i was without an internet access during the weekend.

  Regarding the 6.Re1 variation i have come across some nicely annotated games showing 6...Nc5 as the best variation, as both offtherook and paulgottlieb said.

  I will give a look to the suggested book!

  Thanks to everyone!