The Marshall Attack

The Marshall Attack is undoubtedly the most acute and dangerous line for Black in the Ruy Lopez opening. 

Ruy Lopez opening is one of the most famous of all time. Since the sixteenth century to the present, has never ceased to play. Today is still in the repertoire of many GM, despite being analyzed ad nauseam.

One of Black's more aggressive alternatives is the Marshall Attack: 1.e4 e5 2. Cf3 Cc6 3.Ab5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3. Here Black plays 8...d5!, sacrificing a pawn.
This thematic tournament starts in this position.

The Marshall Attack was developed by the American chessplayer Frank James Marshall, one of the last romantics of the early twentieth century. It was created in order to surprise Capablanca in New York world champion tournament (1918), but the great Cuban able to resist the fierce attacks of Marshall and beating the game brilliantly (See game below).
 

Marshall lost again with this variant used in another heading in the same tournament and he did not played anymore "the Marshall Attac". Fortunately other players considered it more interesting and deepened it, especially during the time of the Soviet school.
 

This is an opening for adventurous players, but we must also note that the open position also for the white, so both sides can launch the attack without problems. This usually entertaining games with alternatives.

  Frank James Marshall

Good luck to everyone and have we nice games!