Marshall Attack, Main Line
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.Bb5a6
- 4.Ba4Nf6
- 5.O-OBe7
- 6.Re1b5
- 7.Bb3O-O
- 8.c3d5
- 9.exd5Nxd5
- 10.Nxe5Nxe5
- 11.Rxe5c6
- 12.d4
1,466 games
The main line of the Marshall Attack, where White reinforces the center with 12. d4 and Black almost always replies 12...Bd6, aiming the bishop at h2.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Main Line
With 12. d4 White frees the c1-bishop and supports the center rather than grabbing more, as in the Re3 Variation. Black answers 12...Bd6 in virtually every game, rerouting the e7-bishop from the empty h4-d8 diagonal toward h2 and gaining a tempo on the e5-rook. After 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3, Black's queen and bishop press against the light squares around White's king. The Spassky Variation continues 15. Be3 Bg4 16. Qd3 Rae8 17. Nd2 Re6 18. a4 Qh5. Engines judge the position level.