411 REFERENCE · Wikibooks
Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bb5/3...Bb4
Reference material by Wikibooks contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
3...Bb4!? - Alapin Defence
3...Bb4!?
Ruy Lopez, Alapin rd bd qd kd nd rd pd pd pd pd pd pd pd nd bl pd bd pl nl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl rl nl bl ql kl rl 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bb4 C60—99 Ruy Lopez
3...Bb4!? is a very odd response to the Ruy Lopez, named the Alapin Defence. This move copies White's move 3. Bb5 and has no clear idea. Everything that it attacks is defended, and white has two major options against this dubious defence:
4. Bxc6 attempts to ruin Black's pawn structure by forcing them to double their pawns with either 4...bxc6 or 4...dxc6.
4. c3 ignores the idea to double pawns and attacks the Bb4, and prepares to play d4 and rip the center open.
Therefore, the Alapin Defence is a very dubious defence against the Ruy Lopez, and should not be played without proper planning.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bb4!?