The Ruy Lopez remains one of the most popular chess openings, both at club level and among top players. In this book, the companion volume to his acclaimed bestseller Bologan’s Black Weapons in the Open Games, Victor Bologan presents a cutting-edge repertoire for Black based on the favourite lines of Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian.
Bologan’s Ruy Lopez for Black is more than just a well laid-out, clearly explained and eminently playable set of responses against the Spanish Opening. Bologan presents TWO different options against every main line. It’s actually two books in one!
Central in Bologan’s repertoire are the Marshall Attack (8...d5) and the Breyer Variation (9...Nb8). The author guides the reader with a steady hand, using a systematic approach and helpful devices such as:
Victor Bologan is a world-class grandmaster. His tournament victories include the Aeroflot Open in Moscow and the Dortmund super-tournament. He is the author of acclaimed opening manuals like The Chebanenko Slav, The Rossolimo Sicilian and The Powerful Catalan.
Content
008 Introduction
012 Strategic Ideas & Themes
012 Pawn-structure
019 The Ruy Lopez Phalanx
029 Piece Play
040 Anti-Spanish Bishop Ideas
042 Gambit Lines & Ideas
055 Part I - 1.e4 e5 2.Sf3 Sc6 3.Bb5 a6
Chapter 1 - The Exchange Line
061 4.Bxc6
Chapter 2 - The Winawer Line
079 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.Bxc6
Chapter 3 - The Steenwijker Line
084 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Bxc6
Chapter 4 - The Tarrasch Line
094 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.Nc3
Chapter 5 - The Bohl Line
098 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Nc3
Chapter 6 . The Gouda Line
108 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d4
Chapter 7 - The Löwenthal-Anderssen Line
113 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d4
Chapter 8 - The Open Wormald System
124 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.Qe2
Chapter 9 - The Half-Open Wormald System
134 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.Qe2 d6
Chapter 10 - The Closed Wormald System
139 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.Qe2 b5 5.Bb3 Be7
Chapter 11 - The Steinitz Line
153 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3
Chapter 12 - The Carlsen Line
169 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d3
183 Part II - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
Chapter 13- The Suetin & Pilnik’s Anti-Marshall
186 8.a3 & 8.d3
Chapter 14- The Judd Anti-Marshall
193 8.d4
Chapter 15- The Gambit Lanka Line
200 8.h3 Bb7
Chapter 16- The Closed Lanka Line
212 8.h3 d6
Chapter 17- The Matulovic Anti-Marshall
224 8.a4 b4
247 Part III - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5
Chapter 18- The Timid & The Brave Line
252 9.d3 & 9.d4
Chapter 19- The ‘Polite’ Line
258 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.d3
Chapter 20- Suetin’s Defense & The ‘Optimistic’ Line
261 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12. Qf1(f3)
Chapter 21- The Flexible Line
264 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.Re1
Chapter 22- The Exchange Lines
268 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.Bxd5
Chapter 23- The Konstantinopolsky Line
279 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3
Chapter 24- The Pinkus Line
286 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re2
Chapter 25- Kapengut’s Line & The ‘Lady’s’ Fianchetto
289 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3
Chapter 26- O’Kelly’s Line
296 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd5 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8
Chapter 27- The Petrosian Line
311 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4
Chapter 28- The Petrosian Main Line
324 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5! 16.Qf1 Qh5
339 Part IV - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6
Chapter 29- Rare Lines
345 8.c3 0-0 9.a4
Chapter 30- The Pilnik Variation
356 8.c3 0-0 9.d3
Chapter 31- The Yates Variation
367 8.c3 0-0 9.d4 Bg4
Chapter 32- Tal’s Variation
382 10.d3
Chapter 33- Geller’s Variation
390 10.d4 Nbd7 11.c4
Chapter 34- The Accelerated Breyer
398 4.d4 exd4 5.Nd5
Chapter 35- The Accelerated Lever
418 10.d4 Nbd7 Nbd2 Bb7 12.a4
Chapter 36- Akopian’s Variation
423 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 Bc2 Re8
Chapter 37- The Double Phalanx Variation
428 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 Bc2 Re8 13.a4 Bf8
Chapter 38- Timoshenko’s & Tseshkovsky’s Variation
438 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 Bc2 Re8 13.a4 Bf8 14.Bd3
Chapter 39- The Pendulum Variation
444 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 Bc2 Re8 13.a4 Bf8 14.Ng3 g6
Chapter 40- Unzicker’s Variation & The Main Variation
455 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 Bc2 Re8 13.a4 Bf8 14.Ng3 g6 15.b3
472 Very Fast Lane
476 Exercises
499 Index of Exercises
500 Index of Games
532 Index of Variations
543 Bibliography
544 New In Chess Code System
Bologan’s Ruy Lopez for Black is more than just a well laid-out, clearly explained and eminently playable set of responses against the Spanish Opening. Bologan presents TWO different options against every main line. It’s actually two books in one!
Central in Bologan’s repertoire are the Marshall Attack (8...d5) and the Breyer Variation (9...Nb8). The author guides the reader with a steady hand, using a systematic approach and helpful devices such as:
- A quick guide for those who are new to the Ruy Lopez and have little time
- The ‘Arsenal of Strategic Ideas’: how pawn structures define important themes
- The ‘Fast Lane’ repertoire (in every chapter) indicates the minimum you need to know
- A wealth of new ideas and novelties
- A clear-cut presentation of tactical motifs
- Traps & tricks are visually marked
- Transpositions and move-order subtleties are clearly identified
- 2200 games referenced and presented in a separate index
- Lots of practical tips
Victor Bologan is a world-class grandmaster. His tournament victories include the Aeroflot Open in Moscow and the Dortmund super-tournament. He is the author of acclaimed opening manuals like The Chebanenko Slav, The Rossolimo Sicilian and The Powerful Catalan.
Content
008 Introduction
012 Strategic Ideas & Themes
012 Pawn-structure
019 The Ruy Lopez Phalanx
029 Piece Play
040 Anti-Spanish Bishop Ideas
042 Gambit Lines & Ideas
055 Part I - 1.e4 e5 2.Sf3 Sc6 3.Bb5 a6
Chapter 1 - The Exchange Line
061 4.Bxc6
Chapter 2 - The Winawer Line
079 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.Bxc6
Chapter 3 - The Steenwijker Line
084 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Bxc6
Chapter 4 - The Tarrasch Line
094 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.Nc3
Chapter 5 - The Bohl Line
098 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Nc3
Chapter 6 . The Gouda Line
108 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d4
Chapter 7 - The Löwenthal-Anderssen Line
113 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d4
Chapter 8 - The Open Wormald System
124 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.Qe2
Chapter 9 - The Half-Open Wormald System
134 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.Qe2 d6
Chapter 10 - The Closed Wormald System
139 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.Qe2 b5 5.Bb3 Be7
Chapter 11 - The Steinitz Line
153 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3
Chapter 12 - The Carlsen Line
169 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d3
183 Part II - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
Chapter 13- The Suetin & Pilnik’s Anti-Marshall
186 8.a3 & 8.d3
Chapter 14- The Judd Anti-Marshall
193 8.d4
Chapter 15- The Gambit Lanka Line
200 8.h3 Bb7
Chapter 16- The Closed Lanka Line
212 8.h3 d6
Chapter 17- The Matulovic Anti-Marshall
224 8.a4 b4
247 Part III - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5
Chapter 18- The Timid & The Brave Line
252 9.d3 & 9.d4
Chapter 19- The ‘Polite’ Line
258 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.d3
Chapter 20- Suetin’s Defense & The ‘Optimistic’ Line
261 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12. Qf1(f3)
Chapter 21- The Flexible Line
264 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.Re1
Chapter 22- The Exchange Lines
268 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.Bxd5
Chapter 23- The Konstantinopolsky Line
279 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3
Chapter 24- The Pinkus Line
286 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re2
Chapter 25- Kapengut’s Line & The ‘Lady’s’ Fianchetto
289 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3
Chapter 26- O’Kelly’s Line
296 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd5 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8
Chapter 27- The Petrosian Line
311 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4
Chapter 28- The Petrosian Main Line
324 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5! 16.Qf1 Qh5
339 Part IV - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6
Chapter 29- Rare Lines
345 8.c3 0-0 9.a4
Chapter 30- The Pilnik Variation
356 8.c3 0-0 9.d3
Chapter 31- The Yates Variation
367 8.c3 0-0 9.d4 Bg4
Chapter 32- Tal’s Variation
382 10.d3
Chapter 33- Geller’s Variation
390 10.d4 Nbd7 11.c4
Chapter 34- The Accelerated Breyer
398 4.d4 exd4 5.Nd5
Chapter 35- The Accelerated Lever
418 10.d4 Nbd7 Nbd2 Bb7 12.a4
Chapter 36- Akopian’s Variation
423 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 Bc2 Re8
Chapter 37- The Double Phalanx Variation
428 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 Bc2 Re8 13.a4 Bf8
Chapter 38- Timoshenko’s & Tseshkovsky’s Variation
438 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 Bc2 Re8 13.a4 Bf8 14.Bd3
Chapter 39- The Pendulum Variation
444 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 Bc2 Re8 13.a4 Bf8 14.Ng3 g6
Chapter 40- Unzicker’s Variation & The Main Variation
455 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 Bc2 Re8 13.a4 Bf8 14.Ng3 g6 15.b3
472 Very Fast Lane
476 Exercises
499 Index of Exercises
500 Index of Games
532 Index of Variations
543 Bibliography
544 New In Chess Code System