The Marshall Attack, Steiner Variation 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 e4, reaching the position shown below after 18 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d5, Black on e4). Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after nine moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; White has doubled pawns on the d-file.
On the Ruy Lopez generally: One of the oldest and most classical openings. White develops rapidly and puts pressure on Black's center.
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The Marshall Attack, Steiner Variation 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 e4. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C89.
The Marshall Attack, Steiner Variation is ECO C89. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.
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 e4 at +1.17 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d5, Black on e4). 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; White has doubled pawns on the d-file.