Ruy Lopez Exchange: Theory and Main Lines

A few years back I wrote an article about the Bobby Fischer's success playing the Ruy Lopez Exchange. Click here to see that article!

White's Strategy:

• Reduce material and transpose into an advantageous ending. 

Reach the following pawn structure:



The pawn structure guarantees White an easy victory because White can obtain a passed pawn on the kingside but Black cannot do the same on the queenside (his c-pawns are doubled!). 

Black's Strategy:

• After White plays d4, Black will need to exchange queens to prevent trouble. But he should prevent further reduction of material.
• Maintain the bishop pair and open the position so that the bishops become more powerful. 
• Keep in mind the idea of attacking the e4-pawn. 
• Try to take advantage of the extra pawn on the queenside. He can gain extra space and sometimes create weaknesses for White here. 

 5 ... Ne7 [Not too popular, but very interesting and sharp. This is Magnus Carlsen's move!]




5 ... Qe7 [Smyslov made this move popular in the 1970s. Idea is to protect the e-pawn--duh!--and he wants to play Bg4. The overall plan also includes f6, g5, Nh6, and 0-0-0. This is a move worth exploring.]




5 ... Bg4 [A good starting point is to memorize the main line.] 




5 ... Bd6 [Goes back to the 19th century. Natural move that allows for natural development.] 

 
5 ... Qd6 [David Bronstein's idea from 1965. Has been popular since then. At d6, the queen defends e5, develops his queen, and prepares to castle long. According to Panczyk's & Ilczuk's book: "Black obtains an interesting dynamic middlegame, as transposing into an ending doesn't give White many chances of obtaining an advantage." That latter feature is unique to the Exchange. Both sides can fight for the win. The idea of 6. Na3 is to play Nc4, threatening to win the pawn and the queen. Black's next move makes perfect sense.] 


 


5 ... Qf6 [Black defends the pawn without blocking the dark-squared bishop.] 

 


5 ... Be6 [An untested move. Panczyk & Ilczuk's book gives the following line.]

 


5 ... f6 [The most popular reply. Protects the pawn and then continues development. The two most popular lines involve 6 ... Bg4 and 6 ... exd4.]