Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense, Siesta Variation
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.Bb5a6
- 4.Ba4d6
- 5.c3f5
396 games
A sharp Modern Steinitz line in the Ruy Lopez in which Black answers 5. c3 with 5...f5, striking at e4 before White can build a full pawn center.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Siesta Variation
The Siesta Variation, 5...f5, meets White's c3 with an immediate blow against e4, made possible because c3 now blocks the knight from supporting that pawn. The line covered by ECO C74 is 6. exf5 Bxf5, followed by 7. d4 or 7. O-O, when Black's bishop is active and the f-file is half-open. Online, 6. d3, keeping the center intact, is played slightly more often. The play is sharp, and engines rate it roughly balanced.