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.
Opening Name: Spanish: Marshall, 9.exd5 Nxd5
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5
Description: The Marshall Attack arises after Black sacrifices a pawn with 8...d5 to gain rapid development and active piece play. In this line, after White captures on d5, Black recaptures with the knight (9...Nxd5), maintaining strong central presence and opening lines for an aggressive initiative. This move is characteristic of the Marshall Attack’s dynamic counterplay and readiness to launch a kingside offensive.
Characteristic of this move: The knight recapture on d5 is a key move that keeps Black’s initiative alive by controlling the center and enabling quick piece activity. It sacrifices material for active play and attacking chances.
Attacking or Defensive: Black is playing aggressively, aiming for an attacking game with pressure on White’s position. White, on the other hand, often adopts a more cautious or defensive stance to neutralize Black’s initiative.
Center Control: This opening clearly fights for control of the center. Black’s 8...d5 and subsequent knight recapture support central dominance and open lines for an attack, reflecting the opening’s combative nature in the center.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Spanish: Marshall, 9.exd5 Nxd5, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 3 - Move #16 white
You can also discover how top players used Spanish: Marshall, 9.exd5 Nxd5 to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.