Ron Black Repertoire 1.e4 e5

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Ron Black Repertoire 1.e4 e5
Compiled by Littlejohn

by Chigorin

This collection outlines a repertoire for Black against 1.e4 based on the Open Defense against the Ruy Lopez, 5...f6 against the Ruy Lopez Exchange, and the Two Knights Defense against 3.Bc4. These defenses are completely sound, but also more based on pure piece activity (and consequently more intuitive for an amateur) than various other replies to 1.e4 (Closed Spanish, Sicilian, French etc.). I based the selection of games on three books:

-"Open Ruy Lopez" (2000) by Glen Flear

-"Ruy Lopez Exchange" (2005) by Krzysztof Panczyk and Jacek Ilczuk

-"Play the Open Games as Black" (2000) by John Emms

The theory is dated in some spots, but as a starting place for an amateur repertoire these games are still great examples. The most dated theory is probably in the Ruy Lopez mainlines, which in my experience are rarely encountered at amateur level anyway.

In a couple of spots I chose lines other than those recommended in the above mentioned books, usually because I felt that the lines given in the books were either unnecessarily difficult (3...g5 vs. the King's Gambit as given by Emms, 4...Nf6 vs. the Scotch as given by Emms), or simply sub-optimal (5...Bb4 vs. the Vienna as given by Emms).

Apr-05-23 WannaBe: Can a vegan have a 'beef' with you? Or Vegans only have 'beet' with you? I am confused.

Apr-05-23 Cassandro: Vegan police officers should be exempt from doing steak-outs.

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"He who imagines himself capable should attempt to perform. Neither originality counts, nor criticism of another's work. It is not courage, nor self-confidence, nor a sense of superiority that tells. Performance alone is the test." — Emanuel Lasker

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Acronyms and Initialisms:
Worksheet Printouts Click Here for
K-3 Themes

An acronym is a pronounceable word that is formed using the first letters of the words in a phrase (sometimes, other parts of the words are also used). Some common acronyms include NASA (which stands for "National Aeronautical and Space Administration"), scuba ("Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus") and laser ("Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation"). An initialism is a word that is formed using the first letters of the words in a phrase -- it is pronounced like a series of letters, not like a word. Some common initialisms include UFO (which stands for "Unidentified Flying Object") and LOL (which stands for "Laughing Out Loud").

Note: Some people consider both of these to be acronyms.

Some common acronyms (and initialisms) include:
AC - Air Conditioning
AD - Anno Domini ("In the Year of Our Lord")
AKA - Also Known As
AM - Ante Meridiem (before noon)
AM - Amplitude Modification (radio)
ASAP - As Soon As Possible
ATM - Automated Teller Machine
B&B - Bed and Breakfast
BC - Before Christ or Because
BCE - Before the Common Era
BLT - Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato
BTW - By The Way
CC - Credit Card
CIA - Central Intelligence Agency
CO - Commanding Officer
CST - Central Standard Time
DOA - Dead on Arrival
DOT - Department of Transportation
DST - Daylight Saving Time
EST - Eastern Standard Time
ET - Extra-Terrestrial
FAQ - Frequently-Asked Questions
FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation
FDR - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
FM - Frequency Modification (radio)
FYI - For Your Information
GI - Government Issue
GMO - Genetically Modified
IM - Instant Message
IMO - In My Opinion
IMHO - In My Humble Opinion
HAZ-MAT - Hazardous Material
HMO - Health Maintenence Organization
ID - Identification
IQ - Intelligence Quotient
ISBN - International Standard Book Number
JFK - John Fitzgerald Kennedy
JV - Junior Varsity
KO - Knockout
laser - Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation LCD - Liquid Crystal Display
LED - Light Emitting Diode
LOL - Laughing Out Loud
MC - Master of Ceremonies
MLK - Martin Luther King, Jr.
MO - Modus Operandi
MRE - Meals Ready to Eat
MS - Manuscript
MST - Mountain Standard Time
MTG - Magic: The Gathering
MTD - Month To Date
NIB - New In the Box
NAFTA - North American Free Trade Agreement
NASA - National Aeronautical and Space Administration NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NBA - National Basketball Association
NIB - New In the Box
NIMBY - Not In My Backyard
OJ - Orange Juice
OPEC - Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries PBJ - Peanut Butter and Jelly
PC - Politically Correct
PI - Private Investigator
PIN - Personal Identification Number
PM - Post Meridiem (after noon)
POTUS - President of the United States
POW - Prisoner of War
PPS - Post-Postscript
PS - Postscript
PR - Public Relations
PSI - Pounds Per Square Inch
PST - Pacific Standard Time
Q&A - Question and Answer
R&R - Rest and Relaxation
RAM - Random Access Memory
RGB - Red, Green, Blue
RIP - Rest in Peace (from the Latin, "Requiescat In Pace") ROM - Read Only Memory
ROTC - Reserve Officers Training Corps
ROYGBIV - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet RPG - Role Playing Game
RSVP - Répondez S'il Vous Plaît (in French, this means "Please respond") RV - Recreational Vehicle
scuba - Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus SNAFU - Systems Normal, All Fouled Up
SOP - Standard Operating Procedure
SOS - Save Our Souls (decided after the fact - SOS was chosen because it was short in Morse code) SPF - Sun Protection Factor (how sunscreen lotion is rated) TBA - To Be Announced
TEOTWAWKI - The End Of The World As We Know It
TGIF - Thank God It's Friday
TLC - Tender Loving Care
TV - Television
UFO - Unidentified Flying Object
UN - United Nations
UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund
UPC - Universal Product Code
VIP - Very Important Person
VP - Vice President
WASP - White Anglo Saxon Protestant
WHO - World Health Organization
WOM - Word of Mouth
WoW - World of Warcraft
WYSIWYG - What You See Is What You Get
YTD - Year To Date
ZED - Chessgames Troll
ZIP (code) - Zone Improvement Plan

Open Ruy Lopez 9.Nbd2/9.c3
Leko vs Korchnoi, 1997
(C80) Ruy Lopez, Open, 50 moves, 1/2-1/2
Open Ruy Lopez 9.Nbd2/9.c3
Svidler vs A Yusupov, 2004
(C80) Ruy Lopez, Open, 24 moves, 1/2-1/2
Open Ruy Lopez 9.Nbd2/9.c3
Morozevich vs Carlsen, 2007
(C83) Ruy Lopez, Open, 42 moves, 1/2-1/2
Watch out for Bxf7+
E Paehtz vs M Mueller-Seps, 2004
(C24) Bishop's Opening, 11 moves, 1-0
Open Ruy Lopez 9.Be3
K Georgiev vs Ivanchuk, 1992
(C80) Ruy Lopez, Open, 58 moves, 1/2-1/2
Open Ruy Lopez 9.Qe2
A Rodriguez vs A Yusupov, 1982
(C81) Ruy Lopez, Open, Howell Attack, 103 moves, 1/2-1/2
Open Ruy Lopez 9.Qe2
A Sokolov vs M Marin, 1990
(C80) Ruy Lopez, Open, 37 moves, 1-0
Open Ruy Lopez 9.a4
Ljubojevic vs A Yusupov, 1991
(C80) Ruy Lopez, Open, 37 moves, 1/2-1/2
Open Ruy Lopez 8.Nxe5
Short vs Timman, 1993
(C80) Ruy Lopez, Open, 28 moves, 1/2-1/2
Open Ruy Lopez 6.Re1
U Atakisi vs S Skembris, 2001
(C80) Ruy Lopez, Open, 58 moves, 0-1
Open Ruy Lopez 6.Re1
Gipslis vs Averbakh, 1958
(C80) Ruy Lopez, Open, 53 moves, 1/2-1/2
Ruy Lopez 5.d4
A Zapata vs Anand, 1992
(C77) Ruy Lopez, 36 moves, 1/2-1/2
Ruy Lopez 5.Bxc6
Nakamura vs Carlsen, 2010
(C77) Ruy Lopez, 59 moves, 1/2-1/2
Ruy Lopez 5.Qe2
A Bisguier vs Geller, 1962
(C77) Ruy Lopez, 37 moves, 0-1
Ruy Lopez 5.d3
M Saltaev vs I Sokolov, 1998
(C77) Ruy Lopez, 50 moves, 1/2-1/2
Exchange Variation 8.Nb3
A Kaliksteyn vs G Sagalchik, 2002
(C69) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation, 43 moves, 1/2-1/2
Exchange Variation 8.Ne2
Hracek vs Tkachiev, 2003
(C69) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation, 22 moves, 1/2-1/2
Exchange Variation 8.Ne2
D Breder vs S Kidambi, 2001
(C69) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation, 57 moves, 1/2-1/2
Exchange Variation 8.Ne2
J Blaskowski vs K Panczyk, 1981
(C69) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation, 32 moves, 1/2-1/2
Exchange Variation 8.Ne2
Khalifman vs Glek, 1985
(C69) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation, 21 moves, 1/2-1/2
Exchange Variation 6.Qxd4
H Mattison vs Rubinstein, 1929
(C68) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, 38 moves, 0-1
Exchange Variation 6.Qxd4
Lasker vs Capablanca, 1914
(C68) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, 42 moves, 1-0
Exchange Variation 6.Qxd4
Lasker vs Steinitz, 1894
(C68) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, 55 moves, 0-1
Exchange Variation 6.Qxd4
Miles vs Karpov, 1992
(C68) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2
Exchange Variation 6.Qxd4
Smyslov vs Gligoric, 1998
(C68) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, 30 moves, 1/2-1/2
Exchange Variation 5.Nc3
V Yandemirov vs E Inarkiev, 2004
(C68) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, 38 moves, 1/2-1/2
Exchange Variation 5.d3
Ljubojevic vs A Planinc, 1970
(C68) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, 40 moves, 1-0
Two Knights Defense 4.Ng5
Morozevich vs A Graf, 1994
(C59) Two Knights, 59 moves, 0-1
Two Knights Defense 4.Ng5
Spassky vs Geller, 1955
(C59) Two Knights, 39 moves, 1/2-1/2
Two Knights Defense 4.Ng5
Macieja vs S Sulskis, 2004
(C58) Two Knights, 53 moves, 1/2-1/2
Two Knights Defense 4.Ng5
Kaidanov vs Onischuk, 2008
(C58) Two Knights, 42 moves, 0-1
Two Knights Defense 4.d4 exd5 5.e5
M Illescas vs J Campos Moreno, 1989
(C45) Scotch Game, 48 moves, 0-1
Two Knights Defense 4.d4 exd5 5.e5
D Edelman vs Klovans, 1994
(C45) Scotch Game, 53 moves, 0-1
Two Knights Defense 4.d4 exd4 5.0-0
D Kontic vs Gligoric, 1998
(C56) Two Knights, 40 moves, 0-1
Two Knights Defense 4.d4 exd5 5.Ng5!?
H Pfleger vs Lengyel, 1965
(C55) Two Knights Defense, 22 moves, 1/2-1/2
textbook example of why attacking with an exposed king is often
F A Hoffmann vs A Petrov, 1844
(C53) Giuoco Piano, 20 moves, 0-1
Giuoco Pianissimo 5.c3
Lagno vs Ivanchuk, 2008
(C53) Giuoco Piano, 60 moves, 0-1
Giuoco Pianissimo (C53) 0-1 N raid, promotion gains material
So vs Mamedyarov, 2022
(C53) Giuoco Piano, 47 moves, 0-1
Giuoco Pianissimo (C53) 0-1 all four knights stacked on f-file
A Erigaisi vs Carlsen, 2022
(C53) Giuoco Piano, 29 moves, 0-1
Giuoco Pianissimo 5.Nc3
B Ivanovic vs K Georgiev, 1987
(C50) Giuoco Piano, 48 moves, 1/2-1/2
Two Knights Defense Fork Trick
Tarrasch vs Marshall, 1912
(C46) Three Knights, 62 moves, 0-1
Two Knights Defense Fork Trick
G G Neidich vs Marshall, 1920
(C47) Four Knights, 28 moves, 0-1
Two Knights Defense (Boden-Kieseritzky)
J Thomas vs M Goodger, 2006
(C27) Vienna Game, 28 moves, 0-1
Scotch 5.Nb3
Rublevsky vs Naiditsch, 2004
(C45) Scotch Game, 39 moves, 0-1
Scotch 5.Be3
Rublevsky vs K Georgiev, 2005
(C45) Scotch Game, 28 moves, 1/2-1/2
Scotch 5.Be3
R Hasangatin vs N Maiorov, 2001
(C45) Scotch Game, 21 moves, 1/2-1/2
Scotch 5.Nxc6
J Magem Badals vs A Kovalev, 1999
(C45) Scotch Game, 44 moves, 0-1
Scotch 5.Nxc6
Deep Fritz vs Kramnik, 2002
(C45) Scotch Game, 51 moves, 0-1
Scotch 5.Nxc6
Radjabov vs Jakovenko, 2009
(C45) Scotch Game, 32 moves, 1/2-1/2
Scotch 5.Nf5!?
W Puntier Andujar vs C D'Amore, 2004
(C45) Scotch Game, 34 moves, 0-1
Four Knights 5.Nxe5
Spielmann vs Rubinstein, 1925
(C48) Four Knights, 45 moves, 0-1
Four Knights 5.Nxd4
D Lima vs Miles, 1997
(C48) Four Knights, 58 moves, 1/2-1/2
Four Knights 5.0-0
Sutovsky vs Nunn, 1998
(C48) Four Knights, 46 moves, 1/2-1/2
Four Knights 5.Bc4
Ivanchuk vs Svidler, 1999
(C48) Four Knights, 69 moves, 1/2-1/2
Four Knights 5.Ba4
Shirov vs J Piket, 1995
(C48) Four Knights, 45 moves, 1/2-1/2
Four Knights 5.Ba4
F Vallejo Pons vs Z Almasi, 2004
(C48) Four Knights, 55 moves, 1/2-1/2
Scotch Four Knights
M Golubev vs M Marin, 2001
(C47) Four Knights, 39 moves, 0-1
Scotch Four Knights
T Roschina vs F Jenni, 2005
(C47) Four Knights, 43 moves, 1/2-1/2
Belgrade Gambit
E Prie vs Van der Wiel, 1990
(C47) Four Knights, 39 moves, 0-1
King's Gambit
W Hahn vs W Class, 1983
(C36) King's Gambit Accepted, Abbazia Defense, 21 moves, 0-1
King's Gambit
W Hartston vs Spassky, 1965
(C36) King's Gambit Accepted, Abbazia Defense, 28 moves, 0-1
King's Gambit
A Negre vs D Thimognier, 1990
(C36) King's Gambit Accepted, Abbazia Defense, 26 moves, 0-1
King's Gambit
J Gallagher vs Van der Sterren, 1992
(C36) King's Gambit Accepted, Abbazia Defense, 44 moves, 1-0
King's Gambit
S Conquest vs A Beliavsky, 2000
(C36) King's Gambit Accepted, Abbazia Defense, 18 moves, 1/2-1/2
Vienna Gambit
K Berg vs Spassky, 1987
(C29) Vienna Gambit, 40 moves, 1/2-1/2
Vienna Gambit
B Kazic vs D Poljakov, 1945
(C29) Vienna Gambit, 50 moves, 0-1
Vienna Gambit
Sax vs Plaskett, 1986
(C29) Vienna Gambit, 92 moves, 0-1
Vienna Gambit
F l'Hoste vs J Boudre, 1990
(C29) Vienna Gambit, 18 moves, 0-1
Vienna Gambit
A Boog vs M Godena, 1993
(C29) Vienna Gambit, 59 moves, 0-1
Vienna 3.g3
Spassky vs Karpov, 1979
(C26) Vienna, 29 moves, 1/2-1/2
Vienna 3.g3
Krasenkow vs Kupreichik, 1986
(C46) Three Knights, 29 moves, 0-1
Vienna 3.Bc4 Nxe4
A Mista vs I Hera, 2009
(C27) Vienna Game, 41 moves, 0-1
Bishop's Opening
Adams vs Kramnik, 1998
(C24) Bishop's Opening, 20 moves, 1/2-1/2
Danish/Goring Declined
Miles vs Nunn, 1970
(C44) King's Pawn Game, 49 moves, 0-1
Center Game
S Sanchez Castillo vs A Otazo, 2001
(C22) Center Game, 72 moves, 1/2-1/2
King Pawn Game: Macleod Attack (C20) 0-1 Notes by Steinitz
N MacLeod vs M Weiss, 1889
(C20) King's Pawn Game, 43 moves, 0-1
Bishop's Opening: Berlin Def (C24) 0-1 21.? Stockfish notes!
W Adams vs A Simonson, 1940
(C24) Bishop's Opening, 22 moves, 0-1
Philidor Defense: Exchange 0-0-0 vs 0-0 (C41) 1-0 Torched!
Timman vs Fridman, 2007
(C41) Philidor Defense, 28 moves, 1-0
Russian Game: Classical Attack. Berger Variation (C42) 0-1
Gunsberg vs M Weiss, 1889
(C42) Petrov Defense, 29 moves, 0-1
Russian Game: Cozio (Lasker) Attack (C42) 0-1
E Safarzadeh vs D Taruffi, 1976
(C42) Petrov Defense, 44 moves, 0-1
Scotch Game: Göring Gambit. Dbl P Sac (C44) 0-1 Siberian Trap
Marshall vs J Hopkins, 1916
(C44) King's Pawn Game, 11 moves, 0-1
Ponziani Opening: Spanish Var (C44) 0-1 the ...d5 rebuttal
NN vs F Rhine, 2022
(C44) King's Pawn Game, 12 moves, 0-1
Notes by Steinitz -- breathtaking final combination
Showalter vs Gossip, 1889
(C45) Scotch Game, 29 moves, 0-1
Scotch Game: Modern Defense (C45) 1-0 Explosive!
Karjakin vs V Malinin, 2002
(C45) Scotch Game, 20 moves, 1-0
Four Knights Game: 4.d4 Scotch. Accepted (C47) 1/2-1/2
Firouzja vs Ding Liren, 2022
(C47) Four Knights, 42 moves, 1/2-1/2
Giuoco Pianissimo. Canal Variation (C50) 0-1
M Judd vs M Weiss, 1889
(C50) Giuoco Piano, 29 moves, 0-1
Italian Game: Two Knts Def. Lolli Attack (C57) 1-0Exch Sac Attk
J Balint vs Chernev, 1938
(C57) Two Knights, 10 moves, 1-0
Spanish Game: Schliemann Defense. Dyckhoff Var (C63) 1-0 blitz
Fischer vs Matulovic, 1970
(C63) Ruy Lopez, Schliemann Defense, 33 moves, 1-0
Spanish Game: Schliemann Def. Dyckhoff Var (C63) 0-1 Stockfish
G Thomas vs H Steiner, 1946
(C63) Ruy Lopez, Schliemann Defense, 23 moves, 0-1
Spanish Game: Berlin Defense (C65) 0-1
Showalter vs M Weiss, 1889
(C65) Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense, 22 moves, 0-1
4 EGs The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played - Chernev
Blackburne vs M Weiss, 1889
(C65) Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense, 70 moves, 0-1
classic example of " grace under pressure", this memorable game
Capablanca vs Marshall, 1918
(C89) Ruy Lopez, Marshall, 36 moves, 1-0
C46
S Rosenthal vs Steinitz, 1873
(C46) Three Knights, 38 moves, 0-1
29...Qxf2+ surprise invasion yields mate if Q is taken
I Theodorovich vs H Ridout, 1976
(A04) Reti Opening, 33 moves, 0-1
94 games

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