Ruy Lopez: Closed, Basque Gambit

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Basque Gambit, White plays e4 as the opening move with the aim of controlling the center of the board and gaining space advantage. This move also helps develop the bishop on c1 and prepares for the castling move. By playing e4, White creates a pawn chain with pawns on e4 and d4, which can make it difficult for Black to advance in the center. Additionally, White can use this pawn structure to create attacking opportunities later in the game.

When Black responds to 1. e4 with e5, their aim is also to control the center of the board. The move e5 immediately challenges White's pawn on e4 and helps Black gain some space in the center. Additionally, this move helps develop Black's kingside knight and prepares for castling. By playing e5, Black also opens up lines for their light-squared bishop, which can be useful in creating attacking opportunities later in the game. In sum, e5 is a common and strong response to 1. e4.

After 1.e4 e5, White wants to play Nf3 to further develop their kingside knight towards the center. This move also controls the key squares d4 and e5 and prepares for the castle move. Additionally, Nf3 provides support for the pawn on e4, which can help maintain control of the center and prevent Black from gaining an advantage. In sum, by playing Nf3, White aims to develop their pieces harmoniously and prepare for future attacking opportunities.

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Basque Gambit, after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3, Black wants to play Nc6 to develop their kingside knight towards the center. This move effectively mirrors White's knight move and also attacks the pawn on e4. By controlling the key square d4, the knight on c6 can potentially limit White's options for advancing their pawns. Additionally, Nc6 prepares for future king-side castle and frees up the queen-side bishop to be developed. In sum, Nc6 is a common and solid move for Black in response to 2.Nf3.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6, White wants to play Bb5 to pressure Black's knight and potentially force it to move, disrupting their planned development. By moving the bishop to b5, White also targets the weak point on a6, where Black's pawn is not defended. If Black chooses to protect their pawn with a6, they weaken their queenside pawn structure. Additionally, Bb5 prepares for the castle move and further helps White gain control of the center of the board. In sum, Bb5 is a strategic and attacking move that aims to create pressure and gain an advantage.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, Black wants to play a6 to protect their pawn on b5 and force White's bishop to move, as it is not defended on b5. This move is often referred to as the Ruy Lopez's "pawn kick" and can disrupt White's planned development. Depending on White's response, Black may potentially undermine White's pawn structure on the queenside or trade the bishop on b5 with their knight on c6. In sum, a6 is a tactical move that buys Black some time to plan their next move and creates potential for counterplay.

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Basque Gambit, after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6, White wants to play Ba4 to maintain their pressure on Black's knight on c6 and potentially force it to move. By moving the bishop back to a4, White also avoids the risk of trading their bishop on b5 for Black's knight on c6. This allows White to maintain control of the center and prevent Black from gaining space there. Additionally, Ba4 prepares for the castle move and potentially threatens to advance the pawn on a6 to gain space on the queenside. In sum, Ba4 is a strategic move that aims to maintain pressure and control over the game.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4, Black wants to play Nf6 to develop their kingside knight towards the center and support their pawn on e5. This move also puts pressure on the bishop on a4, which can potentially force it to move again, disrupting White's development plans. Additionally, Nf6 prepares for the castle move and potentially attacks the pawn on e4 if White decides to castle kingside. In sum, Nf6 is a solid and flexible move that aims to develop Black's position and create potential for future attacking opportunities.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, White wants to play O-O, also known as castling kingside. This move is essential for ensuring the safety of White's king and connects the rooks, allowing them to potentially coordinate in future attacks. Castling also moves the king closer to the edge of the board, allowing for the potential to launch an attack on the queenside using pawns. Additionally, castling provides greater flexibility to other pieces, allowing them to move and potentially gain an advantage. In sum, O-O is a crucial move for White that aims to ensure the safety of their king while preparing for future attacks.

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Basque Gambit, after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O, Black wants to play Be7 to further develop their pieces towards the center and away from the potential harm caused by White's pawn storm on the kingside later in the game. This move also helps protect the king by creating a link between the king and queen side of the board. Additionally, by developing the bishop, Black creates potential for future attacking opportunities on the king side. In sum, Be7 is a strategic and flexible move that aims to strengthen Black's position and create potential for future counterplay.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7, White wants to play d4 to gain more control over the center of the board and restricting Black's pawn on e5. By moving the pawn to d4, White also puts additional pressure on Black's knight on e4 and gains space in the center. Additionally, d4 prepares for opening up lines for White's light-squared bishop. If Black decides to capture the pawn on d4, it will result in an isolated pawn. In sum, d4 is an important move in the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Basque Gambit, aimed at controlling the board and building positional strength.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d4, Black wants to play exd4 to open up the central file and gain control over the center of the board. By capturing the pawn on d4, Black also gains a pawn and potentially threatens White's pawn on e5 with tactics like Nxe5. Additionally, exd4 helps develop Black's pieces, allowing the queen-side bishop to be developed and the queen to move to c7 or e7 as needed. In sum, exd4 is a tactical move that creates potential for counterplay and helps Black develop their position.

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Basque Gambit, after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d4 exd4, White wants to play e5 in order to gain more space in the center of the board and free up their pieces for greater mobility. This move also puts additional pressure on Black's pawn on d4 and potential for gaining control of the center. If Black captures the pawn on e5, it can potentially result in a weak d-pawn and limited mobility for Black's pieces. Additionally, e5 opens up lines for White's light-squared bishop and potentially allows for a future attack on the kingside. In sum, e5 is an aggressive move that aims to gain advantage and create potential for an attack.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d4 exd4 7.e5, Black wants to play Ne4 to immediately attack White's pawn on d2 and further increase their control over the center of the board. This move also attacks White's bishop on a4 and potentially forces it to move again, disrupting White's planned development. Additionally, by placing the knight on e4, Black creates potential for future attacking opportunities on the kingside. Ne4 also prevents White from advancing their pawn on f3, which can give Black more control of the center of the board and potentially create weakness in White's pawn structure on the kingside. In sum, Ne4 is a flexible and attacking move that aims to gain control and create potential for counterplay.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d4 exd4 7.e5 Ne4, White wants to play c3 to gain control over the d4 square and prevent Black's knight from moving to that square with Nc5 or Nd4. This move also supports the pawn on d4, which is under attack from Black's knight. Additionally, c3 prepares for the development of White's queen-side pieces and opens up the possibility for controlling the c4 square. If Black continues with c5, this move structure can potentially lead to typical pawn formations seen in the Queen's Gambit. In sum, c3 is a strategic move that aims to control the center of the board and weaken Black's position.