Hey, post a diagram. 
Open Spanish
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Last I checked this was the most critical variation. White has a few ways to proceed as far as I remember. I was interested in hearing whether it is worth playing the black side or if white is having all the fun.
bump
Apr 16, 2021
0
#5
Open Spanish, Main Line. Nothing critical. 
Best moves:
- 9. c3
- 9. Nbd2 Bernstein variation
- 9. Qe2 Howell attack
- 9. Be3
SF evaliation is about +0.4 (depth=24). 
ShamusMcFlannigan wrote:
I vaguely recall a few lines that lead to endgames that favor white (including a knight sac that leads to a draw)
You will find this in all openings. Its pretty rare to happen in actual games tho and even if white had prepared something like that, why would he play for a draw as white in a tournament. Dont worry too much about that 
I also dont think players who want a draw would choose the spanish opening as white
Tdrev wrote:
ShamusMcFlannigan wrote:
I vaguely recall a few lines that lead to endgames that favor white (including a knight sac that leads to a draw)
You will find this in all openings. Its pretty rare to happen in actual games tho and even if white had prepared something like that, why would he play for a draw as white in a tournament. Dont worry too much about that
I also dont think players who want a draw would choose the spanish opening as white
True enough, but some openings are more prone to this than others. When I played the French I still had a full game ahead in the exchange variation, but some openings leave white the option of playing for a win and cashing out with a draw if things start heading south. I’ve looked into the Nbd2 lines though and they seem interesting enough for both sides.
i also know most players won’t go for a quick draw, but I dislike leaving them that option. It’s really the main reason I’m not a diehard Zaitsev player.
ShamusMcFlannigan írta:
I’ve started looking into the Open Spanish as a backup since it seems like a fun way to get an interesting game. I know theory seems to go back and forth on how practical of a choice that is though. Can any Open players let me know
a) is Nbd2 still the critical line (I play c3 as white)
b) how are blacks winning chances there, I vaguely recall a few lines that lead to endgames that favor white (including a knight sac that leads to a draw)
Hey Shamus, hello everyone Apart from the main line of the Open Spanish, you might think about the 6...Be7 sideline, where Black often sacrifices a pawn for kingside attack. Recently I had a game against Martinez Alcantara which I analysed in my blog: https://www.chess.com/blog/CSB7/road-to-gm-title-2-titled-tuesday-2020-03-30-revenge-against-martinez-alcantara You may find it useful.
Thanks for that @CSB7 and nice game. I fell down the Open Spanish rabbit hole a while back and figured out what I needed to with regard to the Bernstein.
As an aside, which variation would you recommend against the RL (if any)?
ShamusMcFlannigan írta:
Thanks for that @CSB7 and nice game. I fell down the Open Spanish rabbit hole a while back and figured out what I needed to with regard to the Bernstein.
As an aside, which variation would you recommend against the RL (if any)?
Happy to help. It depends on what kind of variation you're looking for. If you want to play it safe and solid, there is the Berlin. If you want to play agressively, there is the Marshall. If you're looking for something in-between, but still complex, you can choose between the classical main lines (Chigorin, Zaitsev, Breyer), the Bc5 Spanish and of course the Open Spanish. It's up to your preference.
CSB7 wrote:
ShamusMcFlannigan írta:
Thanks for that @CSB7 and nice game. I fell down the Open Spanish rabbit hole a while back and figured out what I needed to with regard to the Bernstein.
As an aside, which variation would you recommend against the RL (if any)?
Happy to help. It depends on what kind of variation you're looking for. If you want to play it safe and solid, there is the Berlin. If you want to play agressively, there is the Marshall. If you're looking for something in-between, but still complex, you can choose between the classical main lines (Chigorin, Zaitsev, Breyer), the Bc5 Spanish and of course the Open Spanish. It's up to your preference.
I’ve been dabbling with the old archangel as of late. Funny that didn’t even make your list lol.
The open Ruy Lopez was played 13 times in the Karpov-Korchnoi matches of 1978 and 1981.
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1068242
Jan 20, 2024
0
#13
I love the positions of the Open Spanish as black, as it does seem to lend itself to a lot of activity, but as an amateur with limited time I can't afford to play the Spanish at all. The theory you have to know to even get to the Open is too voluminous. I hate it when that happens.
ShamusMcFlannigan schreef:
I’ve started looking into the Open Spanish as a backup since it seems like a fun way to get an interesting game. I know theory seems to go back and forth on how practical of a choice that is though. Can any Open players let me know
a) is Nbd2 still the critical line (I play c3 as white)
b) how are blacks winning chances there, I vaguely recall a few lines that lead to endgames that favor white (including a knight sac that leads to a draw)
c3 is def better.
I’ve started looking into the Open Spanish as a backup since it seems like a fun way to get an interesting game. I know theory seems to go back and forth on how practical of a choice that is though. Can any Open players let me know
a) is Nbd2 still the critical line (I play c3 as white)
b) how are blacks winning chances there, I vaguely recall a few lines that lead to endgames that favor white (including a knight sac that leads to a draw)