White develops pieces harmoniously, controls the center, and prepares for a kingside attack. This modern approach to the Classical Variation leads to rich strategic play with chances for both sides.
Black plays Nf6 early, creating a solid, defensive setup that avoids the main lines of the Ruy Lopez. The Berlin Defense gained popularity after being used successfully in the 2000 World Championship match between Vladimir Kramnik and Garry Kasparov.
Black sacrifices a pawn with d5 for active piece play and attacking chances. This aggressive gambit, named after American grandmaster Frank Marshall, leads to sharp tactical positions with rich attacking possibilities.
Black plays d6 early, creating a solid, defensive setup that avoids complications. This variation, named after World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz, leads to positional play with fewer tactical complications than the main lines.
Black plays f5 early, creating a sharp, tactical position with immediate counterattacking chances. This aggressive defense, named after German master Carl Schliemann, leads to complex positions with chances for both sides.
White exchanges the bishop for the knight, creating a symmetrical pawn structure and simplifying the position. This approach avoids the sharp complications of the main Schliemann Defense.
Black plays Nb8 (retreating the knight), preparing to redeploy it to d7. This flexible approach, named after Hungarian grandmaster Gyula Breyer, creates a solid position with fewer tactical complications than other variations.
Black plays Nd4, creating active piece play and challenging White's central control. This variation, named after Soviet grandmaster Igor Zaitsev, leads to sharp tactical positions with chances for both sides.
Black plays Na5, attacking White's bishop and creating active piece play. This variation, named after Russian grandmaster Mikhail Chigorin, leads to dynamic positions with chances for both sides.
Black combines the Morphy Defense (a6) with the Modern Steinitz Defense (d6), creating a solid, defensive setup. This modern approach to the Steinitz Defense leads to positional play with fewer tactical complications.