1.e4 — the open games
Marshall Attack
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d5ECO C89
Black sacrifices a pawn in the Ruy López with 8…d5 for a ferocious, long-lasting kingside attack. One of the most respected gambits in chess — so dangerous that many White players duck it with an Anti-Marshall.
Key ideas
- After 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 Black has huge activity and attacking chances for the pawn.
- The black pieces pour toward the white king — …Bd6, …Qh4, …Qh3 with threats down the h-file.
- White must defend precisely and untangle; a single slip and the attack crashes through.
Who it suits
Attacking players who'll give a pawn for a lasting, well-analysed initiative with Black.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Marshall Attack move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer