Theoria
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Ruy Lopez

Cozio Defense, Paulsen Variation

C60tacticaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5Nge7
  4. 4.Nc3g6
1,178 games51%45%

A Cozio Defense line of the Ruy Lopez in which Black meets 4. Nc3 with a kingside fianchetto and White's sharpest try is an early d4 and Nd5.

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About the Paulsen Variation

The Paulsen Variation meets 4. Nc3, the main sideline against the Cozio, with 4...g6, preparing ...Bg7 while keeping the knight recapture on c6 available. The critical test is 5. d4 exd4 6. Nd5, which declines to regain the pawn at once. After 6...Bg7 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bf6 Bxf6 9. Nxf6+ Kf8, Black has given up the right to castle and White holds a slight edge. 5. d3 is more common online, but 5. d4 scores notably better for White.

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