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Ruy Lopez

Morphy Defense, Jaffe Gambit

C77gambitoffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5a6
  4. 4.Ba4Nf6
  5. 5.c3
1,292 games50%46%

The Jaffe Gambit, 5. c3 in the Morphy Defense of the Ruy Lopez, prepares d4 before castling and leaves the e4-pawn hanging; an uncommon sideline.

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About the Jaffe Gambit

The Jaffe Gambit, 5. c3, prepares the thematic d4 advance before White has castled and leaves the e4-pawn unprotected. After 5...Nxe4, the quiet 6. O-O is too slow to regain the pawn, so White turns to 6. Qe2 Nc5 7. Bxc6 dxc6 8. d4 Ne6 9. Nxe5, using the pin on the e5-pawn to restore material. Black most often replies 5...b5 instead, and engines rate the position as roughly balanced.

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