This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation
This variation arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 b5 5. Bb3 Na5. Here, Black challenges White’s bishop on b3 by developing the knight to the rim at a5, aiming to exchange off White’s strong bishop that pressures the center and queenside.
Characteristic of the move 5...Na5: It is a somewhat rare but provocative maneuver that targets the bishop on b3, forcing it to decide its position and potentially weakening White’s control over the light squares. This move also prepares to exert pressure on the c4 square and supports Black’s queenside expansion.
From Black’s perspective, this is a semi-aggressive and strategic move, aiming to neutralize White’s bishop and gain counterplay on the queenside. For White, the position remains flexible, with chances to maintain central control and prepare for kingside or central attacks.
Center control: Both sides continue to contest the center, but the Norwegian Variation does not directly attack the center immediately. Instead, it focuses on piece placement and structural considerations while keeping an eye on central tension.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 2 - Move #9 black
You can also discover how top players used Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.