Theoria
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Ruy Lopez

Morphy Defense, Duras Variation

C77positionaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5a6
  4. 4.Ba4Nf6
  5. 5.d3d6
  6. 6.c4
75 games41%55%

A rare Anderssen-line branch of the Ruy Lopez in which White answers 5...d6 with 6. c4, clamping b5 and building a restrained, positional setup.

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About the Duras Variation

The Duras Variation arises from the Anderssen line 5. d3 when, after 5...d6, White plays 6. c4. The pawn covers b5 and discourages Black's usual plan of ...b5 followed by ...Na5 to trade off the Spanish bishop. With pawns on c4 and e4 controlling d5, White intends to develop with h3, O-O and Nc3. Black most often replies 6...Be7, with 6...Bd7 and 6...Bg4 the other common choices. Engines judge the position roughly balanced, and the line is rarely played.

Popular continuations