Ruy Lopez Averbakh Variation: Adviser, Diagrams and Replay Lab

The Ruy Lopez Averbakh Variation is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 d6. Black defends e5 with ...d6 instead of immediately playing ...b5. Use the Averbakh Variation starting position diagram to anchor the move order.

The exact move order is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 d6. The two main White replies are 7.Bxc6+ and 7.c3. Use the Averbakh Variation starting position diagram.

Black plays 6...d6 to defend e5 without weakening the queenside with ...b5. It creates a compact Spanish setup with similarities to Steinitz-style defences. Use the Averbakh Variation starting position diagram.

In the normal Closed Ruy Lopez, Black usually plays ...b5 early. In the Averbakh, Black first plays ...d6 and may delay or reshape the ...b5 plan. Use the branch map.

After 7.c3, a later ...b5 can allow Bc2 in one move, saving White the usual Spanish tempo of Bb3-c2. That is one reason Black often uses ...Bg4 instead. Use the 7.c3 Bg4 pin diagram.

White exchanges on c6 and follows with d4, aiming to use the fact that Black has defended e5 with ...d6 rather than ...b5. Use the 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.d4 diagram.

7.c3 keeps the bishop on a4, prepares d4, and asks Black how to use the delay of ...b5. Black often answers with ...Bg4. Use the 7.c3 Bg4 pin diagram.

7...Bg4 pins the f3-knight and temporarily makes d2-d4 harder to arrange. It is one of the most characteristic Averbakh ideas. Use the 7.c3 Bg4 pin diagram.

8.h3 asks whether the bishop will stay on h5, exchange on f3, or retreat awkwardly. It also prepares ways to force d4 later. Use the 8.h3 Bh5 pressure point diagram.

White can play h3, then Bxc6+ and d4, removing the bishop's support structure and opening the centre. Use the Bxc6 and d4 against the pin diagram.

With 8.d3, White postpones d4 and often manoeuvres Nbd2-f1-g3. This keeps the centre closed while improving the kingside pieces. Use the 8.d3 manoeuvring setup diagram.

The knight route Nbd2-f1-g3 increases kingside pressure and supports h4, d4, or f4 ideas later. It is a typical slow Spanish manoeuvre in the Averbakh. Use the 8.d3 manoeuvring setup diagram.

Yes. This is one of the principled ways to meet 6...d6, opening the centre before Black reaches a comfortable Closed Spanish setup. Use the 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.d4 diagram.

Yes, Black can still play ...b5, but the timing matters because White may save a tempo with Bc2 or exploit central tension. Use the branch map.

Yes. It has been used by elite players, especially as a flexible and compact alternative to immediate ...b5 systems. Use the Replay Lab.

It can become aggressive when Black uses ...Bg4, ...b5, ...g5, or central counterplay, but its starting point is solid and flexible. Use the Averbakh Variation Adviser.

It can be useful for club players who want a Spanish defence with clear choices: meet Bxc6 with a structure, or meet c3 with ...Bg4. Use the Averbakh Variation Adviser.

White either plays Bxc6+ and d4 quickly, or uses c3, h3, d3, Nbd2-f1-g3, and then times d4. Use the Averbakh Variation Adviser with side set to White.

Black defends e5 with ...d6, uses ...Bg4 to slow d4, and chooses whether to strike with ...b5, ...exd4, ...g5, or central play. Use the Averbakh Variation Adviser with side set to Black.

White's biggest mistake is drifting after 7.c3 Bg4 without deciding whether to force d4 or play a slow d3 manoeuvre. Use the Averbakh Variation Adviser with problem set to choosing the right plan.

Black's biggest mistake is treating the line like an ordinary Closed Spanish and losing a tempo after c3 and Bc2. Use the 7.c3 Bg4 pin diagram.

Start with Polgar vs Short to see the sharp 7.c3 Bg4 8.h3 Bh5 structure and Black's tactical queenside counterplay. Use the Start here replay group.

Leko vs Short, Topalov vs Short, Fressinet vs Adams, and Svidler vs Zhang all show Bxc6+ and d4 structures. Use the 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.d4 replay group.

Polgar vs Short, Anand vs Short, Shirov vs Morozevich, Topalov vs Morozevich, Hjartarson vs Sokolov, and Alekseev vs Kasimdzhanov all feature ...Bg4 ideas. Use the 7.c3 Bg4 and h3 systems replay group.

Anand vs Short and Anand vs Sokolov show two important approaches: slow kingside pressure and an improved central version after ...b5. Use the Start here replay group.

Shirov vs Morozevich and Shirov vs Adams show how the Averbakh can become highly concrete after h3, g-pawns, dark-square play, and central tension. Use the White practical wins replay group.

Polgar vs Short, Topalov vs Morozevich, Alekseev vs Kasimdzhanov, Karjakin vs Aronian, Smeets vs Sokolov, and Mamedov vs Harikrishna show Black's counterplay. Use the Black practical wins and counterplay replay group.

Leko vs Short and Topalov vs Short are useful for endgame structures after early Bxc6+ and d4. Use the 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.d4 replay group.

Navara vs Socko, Saric vs Stevic, and Mamedov vs Harikrishna show more recent practical handling of ...Bg4 and manoeuvring structures. Use the Additional Averbakh examples replay group.

No. h3 is common against ...Bg4, but White can also choose d3, Be3, Nbd2, or immediate Bxc6+ depending on the move order. Use the Averbakh Variation Adviser.

No. Bxc6+ is principled, but White can keep the bishop and play c3, d3, h3, and manoeuvring plans. Use the branch map.

No. ...Bg4 is thematic after 7.c3, but Black can also use ...O-O, ...b5, ...Nd7, or central play depending on White's setup. Use the branch map.

Both use ...d6 in the Spanish, but the Averbakh arises after 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 d6, while Modern Steinitz move orders often differ earlier. Use the branch map.

Both avoid an immediate ...b5 structure in some lines, but the Averbakh specifically uses 6...d6 after 6.Re1. Use the branch map.

The Closed Ruy Lopez normally includes ...b5 before the slow manoeuvring begins, while the Averbakh delays that and uses ...d6 or ...Bg4 to reshape the battle. Use the Averbakh Variation starting position diagram.

White should study 7.c3 Bg4 8.h3 Bh5 and decide between forcing d4 with Bxc6+ or playing the quieter 8.d3 manoeuvre. Use the 8.h3 Bh5 pressure point diagram.

Black should study 7.c3 Bg4 because it is the most distinctive Averbakh answer to White's Closed Spanish setup. Use the 7.c3 Bg4 pin diagram.

Remember it as Re1, ...d6, no early ...b5, then either Bxc6-d4 or c3-Bg4-h3. Use the six diagrams as your memory path.

Study six anchors: 6...d6, 7.Bxc6+ d4, 7.c3 Bg4, h3-Bh5, Bxc6-d4 against the pin, and d3 with Nbd2-f1-g3. Use the six diagrams and one replay from each group.

After this page, compare the Modern Steinitz Defence, Russian Defence, Closed Ruy Lopez, Steenwijk Variation, and Worrall Attack. That comparison shows how delaying ...b5 changes the Spanish middlegame. Use the branch map and Replay Lab as the transition point.