Ruy Lopez

White must take some care not to fall into the [[Ruy Lopez, Noah's Ark Trap|Noah's Ark Trap]], in which Black traps White's {{chessgloss|king's bishop}} with ...a6, ...b5, and ...c4 pawn advances on the {{chessgloss|queenside}}. This can occur in the [[#8.d4 Anti-Marshall|8.d4 Anti-Marshall]], for example.

White must take some care not to fall into the [[Ruy Lopez, Noah's Ark Trap|Noah's Ark Trap]], in which Black traps White's {{chessgloss|king's bishop}} with ...a6, ...b5, and ...c4 pawn advances on the {{chessgloss|queenside}}. This can occur in the [[#8.d4 Anti-Marshall|8.d4 Anti-Marshall]], for example.

Despite the pitfalls, White's 3.Bb5 is still a good move. it {{chessgloss|develops}} a piece, prepares [[castling]], and sets up a potential [[pin (chess)|pin]] against Black's king. Unlike in the [[Italian Game]] (3.Bc4), the bishop is not threatened by timely d7-d5 pushes from Black.

Despite the pitfalls, White's 3.Bb5 is still a good move. It {{chessgloss|develops}} a piece, prepares [[castling]], and sets up a potential [[pin (chess)|pin]] against Black's king. Unlike in the [[Italian Game]] (3.Bc4), the bishop is not threatened by timely d7-d5 pushes from Black.

{{Clear}}

{{Clear}}

|Modern Steinitz Defence: 4...d6

|Modern Steinitz Defence: 4...d6

}}

}}

4...d6 (''[[Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings|ECO]]'' C71–C76) is the most common fourth move sideline for Black and has been called the Modern Steinitz Defence, Deferred Steinitz Defence,{{cite web |title=Deferred Steinitz for Black – Top-Level Repertoire |url=https://www.modern-chess.com/course/deferred-steinitz-for-black-top-level-repertoire/88554/ |website=Modern Chess |author=Lucas van Foreest; Pier Luigi Basso |date=May 27, 2025 |access-date=2026-04-27}}, and Neo-Steinitz{{sfn|van der Sterren|2009|pp=277-278}} Defence. It was frequently played by [[Alexander Alekhine]], [[José Raúl Capablanca]], and [[Paul Keres]]. The ability to break the pin with a timely ...b5 gives Black more flexibility than in the regular [[#Steinitz Defence|Steinitz Defence]] (3...d6). Notably, in the regular Steinitz Defence, White can almost always force Black to surrender the stronghold at e5. In the Modern Steinitz Defence, however, Black retains control of the {{chessgloss|centre}}. Most plausible White moves are playable here, including 5.c3, 5.c4, 5.Bxc6, 5.d4, and 5.0-0.

4...d6 (''[[Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings|ECO]]'' C71–C76) is the most common fourth move sideline for Black and has been called the Modern Steinitz Defence, Deferred Steinitz Defence,{{cite web |title=Deferred Steinitz for Black – Top-Level Repertoire |url=https://www.modern-chess.com/course/deferred-steinitz-for-black-top-level-repertoire/88554/ |website=Modern Chess |author=Lucas van Foreest; Pier Luigi Basso |date=May 27, 2025 |access-date=2026-04-27}} and Neo-Steinitz{{sfn|van der Sterren|2009|pp=277-278}} Defence. It was frequently played by [[Alexander Alekhine]], [[José Raúl Capablanca]], and [[Paul Keres]]. The ability to break the pin with a timely ...b5 gives Black more flexibility than in the regular [[#Steinitz Defence|Steinitz Defence]] (3...d6). Notably, in the regular Steinitz Defence, White can almost always force Black to surrender the stronghold at e5. In the Modern Steinitz Defence, however, Black retains control of the {{chessgloss|centre}}. Most plausible White moves are playable here, including 5.c3, 5.c4, 5.Bxc6, 5.d4, and 5.0-0.

If White plays 5.d4, analogous to the Steinitz Defence, Black can immediately break the pin with 4...b5. After 5.Bb3 Nxd4 6.Nxd4 exd4, the natural 8.Qxd4?, recommended by Alekhine in his tournament book on [[New York 1924 chess tournament|New York 1924]],{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}} is in fact a mistake, as it falls into [[Ruy Lopez, Noah's Ark Trap|Noah's Ark Trap]].{{sfn|Emms|1999|p=47}} In the game [[Endre Steiner|Steiner]]–[[José Raúl Capablanca|Capablanca]], [[Budapest]] 1929, play continued 8...c5 9.Qd5 Be6 10.Qc6+ Bd7 11.Qd5 c4, after which White's bishop is trapped.{{cite web |title=Endre Steiner vs. José Raúl Capablanca, Budapest, 1929 |url=https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1257934 |access-date=27 January 2026}}

If White plays 5.d4, analogous to the Steinitz Defence, Black can immediately break the pin with 4...b5. After 5.Bb3 Nxd4 6.Nxd4 exd4, the natural 8.Qxd4?, recommended by Alekhine in his tournament book on [[New York 1924 chess tournament|New York 1924]],{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}} is in fact a mistake, as it falls into [[Ruy Lopez, Noah's Ark Trap|Noah's Ark Trap]].{{sfn|Emms|1999|p=47}} In the game [[Endre Steiner|Steiner]]–[[José Raúl Capablanca|Capablanca]], [[Budapest]] 1929, play continued 8...c5 9.Qd5 Be6 10.Qc6+ Bd7 11.Qd5 c4, after which White's bishop is trapped.{{cite web |title=Endre Steiner vs. José Raúl Capablanca, Budapest, 1929 |url=https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1257934 |access-date=27 January 2026}}