Theoria
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Ruy Lopez

Exchange Variation, Alapin Gambit

C69gambittacticalaggressive

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5a6
  4. 4.Bxc6dxc6
  5. 5.O-OBg4
  6. 6.h3h5
1,580 games45%50%

Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation line in which Black leaves the g4-bishop en prise with 6...h5, since taking it opens the h-file for a mating attack.

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About the Alapin Gambit

The Alapin Gambit is Black's sharpest answer to 5. O-O in the Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez: after 5...Bg4 6. h3 h5 the bishop is left en prise. Accepting with 7. hxg4 hxg4 opens the h-file and hits the f3-knight, and 8. Nxe5 runs into 8...Qh4 with a forced mate. White usually declines with 7. d3, while 7. d4 is a rarer alternative. Engines rate the position as balanced.

Popular continuations