Ruy Lopez: Marshall Attack, Modern Main Line (C89)

The Marshall Attack, Modern Main Line is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C89. The line runs 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 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3, reaching the position shown below after 28 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after 14 moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; the e-file file is fully open.

On the Ruy Lopez generally: One of the oldest and most classical openings. White develops rapidly and puts pressure on Black's center.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Ruy Lopez: Marshall Attack, Modern Main Line — position after Qh3 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 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 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2Nf3Nc6
3Bb5a6
4Ba4Nf6
5O-OBe7
6Re1b5
7Bb3O-O
8c3d5
9exd5Nxd5
10Nxe5Nxe5
11Rxe5c6
12d4Bd6
13Re1Qh4
14g3Qh3

ECO: C89

Stockfish: +0.53 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Ruy Lopez lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Marshall Attack, Modern Main Line?

The Marshall Attack, Modern Main Line goes 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 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C89.

What is the ECO code for the Marshall Attack, Modern Main Line?

The Marshall Attack, Modern Main Line is ECO C89. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.

Is the Marshall Attack, Modern Main Line good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 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 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 at +0.53 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Marshall Attack, Modern Main Line lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; the e-file file is fully open.