Ruy Lopez

Originally posted by !~TONY~!
Isn't the difference between the two positions ..d6, and not ..a6, since ..a6 would be included in both positions in question, and ..d6 is not? If the extra tempo is ..a6, there is really nothing to be worry about (I guess, this idea still doesn't make any sense) but clearly ..d6 is a helpful move for black.

Originally posted by !~TONY~!
Isn't the difference between the two positions ..d6, and not ..a6, since ..a6 would be included in both positions in question, and ..d6 is not? If the extra tempo is ..a6, there is really nothing to be worry about (I guess, this idea still doesn't make any sense) but clearly ..d6 is a helpful move for black.

Originally posted by Korch
Whats a difference between position anter 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.Bxc6 and 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 5.Bxc6 ? Only pawn on a6 or a7 (I must say that on a6 this pawn are weaker).

But if white will take on c6 in 4th move (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 lack will play 4...dxc6 with better development than 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 5.Bxc6, because their black squared bishop will get more space.

Originally posted by Regicidal
There are subtle differences.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 white does not play 4.Bxc6?! but 4.d4 Bd7 5.Bxc6 bxc6 (white does not fear 5...Bxc6).

While after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 black can play d6 5.d4 b5 6.Bb3 Nxd4, and if instead 5.Bxc6 bxc6 black has the option of putting the bishop somewhere other than d7, like ..Be6 after ...f6 which produces a different type of game.

Originally posted by Korch
Wait a minute - Did I say that after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 white should play 4.Bxc6?

And have you informed that after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 move 5.Bxc6 is more popular in higher level than 5.d4 ?

Ok...forgive my ignorance, but isn't retreating the white bishop to a4 then exchanging it for the knight (hence, causing doubled black pawns), called the "Delayed Exchange Variation?"

Also, let me add a qualifier: The answer to my first post might have a different answer if one considers that the any line I play would be in a correspondence game and NOT OTB.

There is much fewer blunders in CC play than OTB due to the time one has to think in CC play. Now, this point being made it eliminates the "psychology" of OTB play in which fancy gambits and sacrifices are frequent. This is not the case, as much so, in CC play.

So, read my original post and think of it as a correspondence game. Would your recommendations that White 5.Ba4xNc6 is a "waste of tempo?"

Again, I'm interested in the variety of opinions. Personally, I believe the Lopez exchange variation with 4.Bxc6, if played properly, will USUALLY result with an endgame victory for white. Maybe not in GM play...but, then again, Bobby Fischer used the Lopez exchange variation with success.

Anyway, I'll never be a GM. I just want to learn more and I like lively intellectual, civilized discussions.

T.H.

Originally posted by !~TONY~!
I don't understand why you would play Ba4, then next move, decide that you want to play Bxc6+. It's a waste of a tempo.

Originally posted by cmsMaster
No, not at all, see the database thread...

To the OP, if you can find the book by Anatoly Karpov called the "Open Game in action" read it as it presents the ideas. Don't buy it as its probably old but if you can borrow it from your Library do so.

Originally posted by THarris
If you were referring to me...I am no patzer, just someone interested in a civilized, intellectual discussion regarding the Ruy Lopez. There is no need to use such phrases as "patzer" in any response.

TH

Originally posted by !~TONY~!
I don't understand why you would play Ba4, then next move, decide that you want to play Bxc6+. It's a waste of a tempo.