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Ruy Lopez

Exchange Variation, Romanovsky Variation

C68positionaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5a6
  4. 4.Bxc6dxc6
  5. 5.Nc3f6
  6. 6.d3
511 games44%52%

Quiet Exchange Ruy Lopez line where White supports e4 with 6. d3 instead of opening the center, keeping pieces on; engines rate it balanced.

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About the Romanovsky Variation

The Romanovsky Variation arises from the Keres Variation when, after 5. Nc3 f6, White chooses the modest 6. d3 over 6. d4. The latter tends to liquidate into an early endgame. Supporting e4 with a pawn keeps the center closed and the pieces on the board, and it leaves Black free to develop both bishops actively. The usual replies are 6...Bg4, 6...Bb4 and 6...Bc5. Engines judge the position as roughly balanced, and Black scores well in online games.

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