Theoria
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Ruy Lopez

Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Mortimer Variation

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  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5Nf6
  4. 4.d3Ne7
785 games41%56%

Offbeat reply to the Anti-Berlin in which Black reroutes the knight to e7, preparing ...c6 and setting the Mortimer Trap against an early Nxe5.

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About the Mortimer Variation

4...Ne7 moves the knight a second time and obstructs the king's bishop, aiming to follow with ...c6 and drive the bishop from b5. The apparently loose e5-pawn is bait: 5. Nxe5 c6 6. Bc4 Qa5+ checks the king and wins the knight, the Mortimer Trap, and Black scores heavily on Lichess after the capture. The sounder 5. O-O c6 6. Ba4 obliges Black to defend e5 with 6...d6 or 6...Ng6. James Mortimer played the line in London in 1883.

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