Key Open Spanish Line for White
Main line: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4
Annotated Open Spanish Moves (from 1.e4 PGN)
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1.e4
White starts with 1.e4, taking space in the centre and opening lines for the queen and bishop.
1...e5
Black copies White in the centre and also opens lines for their pieces.
2.Nf3
White attacks the e5-pawn and develops a knight toward the centre, getting ready to castle.
2...Nc6
Black defends the e5-pawn with a knight and brings another piece into the game.
3.Bb5
The Ruy Lopez. White pins the knight on c6, which helps protect the e5-pawn.
3...a6
Black attacks the bishop on b5, asking it to decide where to go.
4.Ba4
White keeps the bishop on the long diagonal, still pressuring the knight on c6.
4...Nf6
Black develops a knight and attacks the e4-pawn.
5.O-O
White castles, putting the king safely on g1 and connecting the rooks.
5...Nxe4
Black grabs the pawn on e4. This is the Open Spanish: Black takes a risk by opening the centre before castling.
6.d4
White strikes back in the centre, opening lines for the pieces and using fast development to fight for the initiative.