< Chess Opening Theory < 1. e4 < 1...e5 < 2. Nf3 < 2...Nc6 < 3. Bb5
Ruy Lopez, Schliemann Defence
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8{{{square}}} black rook{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black bishop{{{square}}} black queen{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black bishop{{{square}}} black knight{{{square}}} black rook8
7{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black pawn7
6{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black knight{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king6
5{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} white bishop{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king5
4{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king4
3{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} white knight{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king3
2{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} white pawn2
1{{{square}}} white rook{{{square}}} white knight{{{square}}} white bishop{{{square}}} white queen{{{square}}} white king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} white rook1
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Common moves:
4. Nc3 - Berger Variation
4. d3 - Safe Variation

Schliemann Defence

The first thing to note about the Schliemann Defence, formerly known as the Jaenisch Gambit, is that it isn't a gambit. Despite the apparent similarity to the Latvian Gambit, the knight on c6 changes everything. Obviously, White can't capture on e5 immediately, and capturing on e5 after exchanging on c6 doesn't win a pawn either because the usual Ruy Lopez rejoinder ...Qd4 wins it straight back. Capturing the other way with 4.exf5 is possible but then 4...e4 would embarrass the f3-knight and lead, surprisingly, to a draw by repetition after only 7 moves.

So rather than blast the Schliemann Defence off the board, White must try to act natural and exploit the weakened Black kingside further down the line. The two moves that contribute to White's development while also defending the e4-pawn are

  • 4. Nc3, the Berger Variation, and
  • 4. d3, the Safe Variation.

Black's next move is going to be ...fxe4, so choosing between these two moves amounts to choosing which piece you want to recapture with. A knight on e4 would immediately invite ...d5, to which White can react with a hair-raising temporary piece sacrifice. A pawn on e4 creates the prospect of preventing Black from castling with the remarkable manoeuvre Qd1-d3-c4. A little theory goes a long way in both cases!

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables see theory table and for notation see algebraic notation .

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5
4 5 6 7 8 9
1 Nc3
fxe4		 Nxe4
d5		 Nxe5
dxe4		 Nxc6
Qg5		 Qe2
Nf6		 f4
Qh4+		 +/=
2 d4
fxe4		 Nxe5
Nxe5		 dxe5
c6		 Nc3
cxb5		 Nxe4
d5		 exd6
Nf6		 ∞
3 d3
Nf6		 exf5
Bc5		 Nc3
O-O		 O-O
Nd4		 Nxe5
d5		 Nf3
c6		 ∞
4 exf5
e4		 Qe2
Qe7		 Bxc6
dxc6		 Nd4
Qe5		 Nf3
Qe7		 Nd4
Qe5		 =

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References

    • Winning with the Schliemann by Mikhail Tseitlin, Published 1991 by Maxwell Macmillan Chess ISBN 1-85744-017-X.
    • Batsford Chess Openings 2 (1989, 1994). Garry Kasparov, Raymond Keene. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.
     
    Chess Openings
    1. e4 e5
    1. e4 c5
    1. e4 other
    1. d4 Nf6
    1. d4 d5
    1. d4 other
    1.
    a3 · Na3 · a4 · b3 · b4 · c3 · Nc3 · c4 · d3 · d4 · e3 · e4 · f3 · Nf3 · f4 · g3 · g4 · h3 · Nh3 · h4
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