Theoria
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Ruy Lopez

Closed, Trajkovic Counterattack

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  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5a6
  4. 4.Ba4Nf6
  5. 5.O-OBe7
  6. 6.Re1b5
  7. 7.Bb3Bb7
233 games50%45%

A sideline of the Closed Ruy Lopez in which Black develops the bishop to b7 early, often following up with a Marshall-style pawn sacrifice.

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About the Trajkovic Counterattack

The Trajkovic Counterattack, also known as the Trajković Variation, develops the queen's bishop to b7 instead of playing 7...d6 or 7...O-O. Because ...Bg4 is ruled out, White need not spend a tempo on h3. The usual reply is 8. c3, when Black often gambits a pawn in Marshall fashion with 8...d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5. 8. d3 transposes to the Arkhangelsk Defense. It remains a sideline, and engines give White a slight edge.

Popular continuations