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 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
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 10. Nxe5 Nxe5
Description: This position arises from the Marshall Attack in the Ruy López, a highly dynamic and well-studied line. The characteristic feature of this variation is Black's immediate counterattack in the center with ...d5 and active piece play, sacrificing a pawn for rapid development and pressure against White's kingside. After 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5, Black has exchanged central pawns and knights to open lines and activate pieces quickly.
Characteristic of the move: The move 10...Nxe5 recaptures the knight centrally and maintains Black's initiative. It keeps tension in the center and supports Black's idea of rapid piece activity rather than passive defense.
Attacking or Defensive: From Black's perspective, this opening is very much attacking. Black aims for active play and pressure, often targeting White's kingside and center. White, while having a slight material edge in some lines, must be cautious and precise to neutralize Black's initiative, so White's play is more positional and reactive at this stage.
Control of the Center: Yes, this opening directly contests the center. Black's ...d5 move challenges White's central presence early on, and the subsequent exchanges open lines for Black's pieces. White also maintains central influence with pawns on e4 and c3, but the immediate clash in the center is a key theme of this opening.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Spanish: Marshall, 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5, 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 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.