Openings
- Chess Atlas Subsections
- VOL. I • Chess HistoryFrom Chaturanga to Neural Engines
- VOL. II • Classic ChessPieces, Notation & Rules
- VOL. III • Legendary PlayersPantheon of Chess Immortals
- VOL. IV • Great GamesInteractive game studies
- VOL. V • OpeningsOriginal CAISSORA Opening Articles
- VOL. VI • Tactics & StrategyForks, Pins & Board Geometry
Portuguese Opening
A Ruy Lopez with the knight left at home
- Offbeat
2.Bb5 puts the bishop on its Ruy Lopez square, but the knight has not yet gone to f3. White keeps the f-pawn free for f4 and is in no hurry to press on e5. The opening is rare and not thought to be very dangerous: Black gets a normal game, especially after 2…c6.
4.Nc3
Moves
(7 plies • 4 moves)- 1–4moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
Defining move
2.Bb5 — the bishop before the knight
The move that parts it from the Ruy Lopez
The bishop goes to b5, but the knight stays at home and nobody attacks e5. The f-pawn stays free and the bishop remains flexible. If Black answers 2…Nc6 and White plays 3.Nf3, the game becomes an ordinary Ruy Lopez.
Tabiya
2…c6 3.Ba4 Nf6 4.Nc3
Black has chased the bishop with …c6 and developed a knight. White develops as well: Nc3 (4.Qe2 is also seen). Black can attack the bishop with …b5, and then it goes to b3. White has the bishop and a free f-pawn; Black has a normal development and the e5 pawn.
White’s plan
- Develop the knights to c3 and f3 and keep the bishop.
- Keep f4 in reserve to shake e5.
- If Black answers 2…Nc6, return to the Ruy Lopez with Nf3.
Black’s plan
- Chase the bishop with …c6 and take the centre.
- Develop the knight to f6 and castle.
- Use the fact that nobody attacks e5 and develop calmly.
Games in the Atlas
No games in the Atlas yet