Guess the opening from the final position

It's conventional wisdom that the opening that players choose to play is one of the most important factors on how the rest of the game will turn out. That being the case, I've sometimes wondered if a chess expert could look at a board in an advanced state and be able to recognise what the opening was. It seems like that should be the case, at least in theory. So here's an example. It's a game between high level players. I wont give any more details away. Can anyone guess what the opening was? Please don't spoil it if you recognise the actual game.

The doubled c pawns plus the isolated a pawn is the biggest clue. My first thought was a sicilian because white has what looks like a maroczy, but then I have to wonder where white's d pawn went and how black has not only his e pawn but two c pawns.

So it's probably a position out of a Steinitz defense with Bxc6 or exchange Spanish with ...bxc6 (which are similar and either could be responsible for this structure). Or something closely related like the delayed /deferred / modern Steinitz in the Spanish.

I was also thinking of the Scotch where black plays Nxc6 because IIRC one or both players usually castle queenside in that (?) but then black wouldn't have an e pawn.

I think you got it with the Spanish with ...bxc6, and since there are no other contenders you are the winner - Congratulations!

The game is, of course, Capablanca V Bancroft from 1935.  The opening was the Ruy Lopez, a.k.a the 'Spanish Opening'.

I may try another if anyone shows any interest.

Thanks

Since I play 1.e4 as white and 1.e4 e5 as black, I had a lot of ideas.

I'd like to see a position from a 1.d4 opening (not a queen's gambit because I play that).

I probably wouldn't be able to guess it, but it would be fun to try.

Since the site doesn't have a like button, I'm just reposting it.

Ok, I have another one here from a game involving a World Champion. I think this one will be a bit harder since all but 4 of the pieces have been moved from their original places. This is the final state of the board by the way. You may also wish to guess which side is the winner!

I think it was a draw

You're wrong!

Looks like a Sicilian Najdorf, 0-1. Kasparov or Fischer would be my guess

Looks a lot like a Sicilian.

Who's move is it?

Oh come on, that pawn structure is so neutral.

Ok so white probably 0-0-0 and pushed on the kingside, but it's obviously not a pirc or sicilian.

Also it seems black counter in the center, and maybe had some piece play on the q-side (otherwise how are the black and white pawns like that).

I'm thinking petroff or french exchange. That clears the e file of pawns, and in both white can 0-0-0 and push on the k-side.

Because black didn't push the queenside though, I'm leaning towards french exchange. Maybe it's something totally different, but if this were my game that's probably what the opening was (I used to play the exchange french).

actually is a closed Sicilian without g3...but since both white and black played unusually don't coun't this as one...I will post new one:

Ok

It would be interesting to see the game for that closed sicilian.

This new one I really don't know. I'll try and take a guess.

Looks like black started out playing on the q-side. White in the center. then it backfired on white and black ended up with tons of kingside play.

The pawn on d6 makes me doubt it was a 1.d4 opening. And I feel like something like an Italian or Scotch wouldn't have gone through that many phases. Caros and Frenches usually involve d5. Others involve a fianchetto. For a Sicilian it's weird that white's a pawn is missing. I'm thinking some kind of Spanish. Maybe a 4 knights. Something like that.

And of course that could be wildly wrong

Maybe black played d5 right away and later a pawn recaptured on d6 for example.

But it's fun to guess.

Giuoco Piano? My first guess was a Marshall Ruy but the LSB of white isn't in c2. Maybe a 4 knights italian too.

Giuoco Piano? My first guess was a Marshall Ruy but the LSB of white isn't in c2. Maybe a 4 knights italian too.

Hey guys I love it that people are participating but it's a little bit confusing when people post new games before the last one is solved! I promise I'll provide the answer to the previous puzzle shortly and after that it would be great if someone else wants to post their one.

It's actually a B33 with the a4 variation (I think you know what I mean)