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Ruy Lopez

Pollock Defense

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  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5Na5
535 games62%34%

A rare reply to the Ruy Lopez in which Black's knight goes to a5, leaving e5 undefended in hope of a queen trap; White stands clearly better.

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About the Pollock Defense

The Pollock Defense, 3...Na5, moves the knight a second time, to the rim, and abandons the defense of e5. Its trap idea is 4. Nxe5 Qg5, hitting the knight and g2, but after 5. d4 Qxg2 6. Qf3 Qxf3 7. Nxf3 White keeps an edge. Taking on e5 is the most frequent reply, and engines rate White clearly better. William Pollock used it at the 1893 New York Chess Association tournament and in a casual game against Amos Burn.

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