Closed, Center Attack
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.Bb5a6
- 4.Ba4Nf6
- 5.O-OBe7
- 6.d4
508 games
A Closed Ruy Lopez sideline where White plays 6. d4 at once, opening the center instead of defending e4; it often transposes to the Mackenzie line.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Center Attack
The Center Attack, 6. d4, strikes at e5 immediately instead of first protecting e4 with Re1. The usual reply, 6...exd4, transposes to the Mackenzie Variation. The main alternative is 6...b5, after which White has scored well. After 6...exd4, White can also play 7. e5 Ne4 8. c3 dxc3, the Basque Gambit, giving up a pawn for activity. The line is uncommon, and engines assess the position as balanced.