This Week's ChessVideos Show: The Quick Ruy Lopez, Part 1
A few years back I did a long series on the Sicilian Defense for ChessVideos.tv. The context was a request in the viewer question thread that I give an overview of the Sicilian, which was not exactly possible in that context - generally I spend no more than about 15 minutes on a given question there. So I joked about it, and then finally started the series, trying to present that opening in a quick but useful way. Needless to say, even going quickly, it must have taken around ten full length shows to get through that complex.
At the time, and again recently, someone suggested doing something similar with the Ruy Lopez. For many years I resisted, but at last I've caved, and you can watch part 1 of what is bound to be a pretty long series, here. In this week's installment, I examine the 3...d6, 3...g6, 3...Nge7, 3...Nd4 and 3...Bc5 lines. The next shows will cover the Berlin and the Schliemann/Jaenisch, and then it will be on to 3...a6.
As usual, the show is free (free registration is required, in case you haven't already done it) and will be available for the next month or so. If you've been waiting to learn the Ruy with White, here's your chance!
Reader Comments (4)
After purchasing the Quality Chess Repertoire book on the Sicilian and switching from the Dragon and Dragadorf to the Najdorf, I must have watched your Najdorf series at least 10 times.
I've always wanted to play the Spanish but have always refrained, put off by it's reputation as one of the most strategically complex openings in the whole of Chess theory.
I couldn't think of a better overview of an opening system than a mini series presented by yourself.
A sincere and wholehearted thanks for producing this series.
George
Awesome!
Of all the third move options (minus 3...a6), I would appreciate it if you put the most time into the Berlin and especially the fashionable endgame variation. I find it very hard to get a handle on. There seem to be many positions that look the same but aren't simply because of a pawn being placed here and a piece being placed there. These subtle nuances are simply baffling. It wouldn't surprise me, though, if those nuances are baffling for GMs too!
So how do we access those long ago Sicilian videos?
[DM: Simplest solution: Go to the archives page (http://www.chessvideos.tv/forum/viewforum.php?f=36) and click on a video. You'll get directions from there.)