I would like to thank you for purchasing this book, I really appreciate
it. It also means that you found an interest in my work of trying to
crack the Ruy Lopez. As I said in the introduction to the first volume,
I had no idea what I was signing up for when deciding to write a book on
Ruy Lopez. This opening has such a rich history and good reputation that
proving advantages in many lines is nearly impossible. Writing the first
volume on this opening was a Herculean effort and I thought "it cannot
be more difficult". After all, I was covering such solid variations as
the Berlin and the Open Spanish. Well, I got surprised again! I am not
exaggerating when I say that writing the second volume was at least as
hard as writing the first one. This second volume on the Ruy Lopez
consists of two parts. In the first part I focus on modern systems with
...Bc5, attempting to dissect both the Archangelsk and Moller
Variations. These two variations have quite a rich history but in 2020
there have been several developments. If I had to name one person that
contributed the most to the developments in those lines it is, without a
doubt, Fabiano Caruana. His encounters in the Candidates Tournament in
Ekaterinburg, then his theoretical discussion in those lines with
Leinier Dominguez, revised my opinion on many of those lines and led to
interesting discoveries that I analyze in this bookIn the subsequent
part I discuss the Closed Ruy Lopez. It is easily one of the most
popular openings throughout the history of chess with many games
occuring as early as the 1800s. I suggest going for 9.h3 which usually
leads to a positional battle. I present new trends and find new paths
and ideas in such evergreen variations as the Zaitsev, Breyer, Chigorin
and others. Additionally, I attempt to crack the Marshall Attack by
suggesting the Anti-Marshall lines with 8.a4. I must admit that I
thought that it would be a pretty easy task to analyze those openings
having some prior analysis and experience with both colors. However,
time after time I was encountering new challenges and new ideas from
both sides that I had to resolve. My conclusions, based on careful
analysis with the most powrful engines currently available is presented
in this book. This book completes my series on the Ruy Lopez. I would
like to take a moment and recall what I said in the introduction to the
first volume. When both sides play very good and sound chess, it is
normal that games end in a draw. It is especially true for such sound
openings as Ruy Lopez. I do not attempt to dismiss one line or another
because somewhere with best play Black can make a draw by force on move
number 30, playing sometimes ridiculous moves that are only found during
the analytical work. Over the board the reality is way different -
practical aspect plays an important role in chess. Some positions are
easier to play, some harder. Similarly to what I did in the first
volume, I try to offer the most playable positions. I do not mind if the
positions are equal, provided it is easier to paly with White or the
chance of an error by Black is quite large. Sometimes I go into forced
variations (e.g. in Moller Defense or Archangelsk Defense), sometimes
into more positional battles (like in the Zaitsev) but I truly believe
that the positions I aim to reach have potential and are tricky for
Black. With proper knowledge I think White can put pressure on Black in
the Ruy Lopez. I hope that you will find my approach to tackling the Ruy
Lopez interesting. I am aware that there is only so much I can analyze
and someone may say that I did not analyze some positions deeply enough
but that is the nature of chess - possibilities are pretty much
unlimited and there will always be theoretical debate!Finally, I wish
you, dear Reader, good luck and I hope...
