Ruy Lopez (Zaitsev Variation)

Hello All,

I've been looking into some of the variations of the Ruy Lopez, and it seems like in the following position, only the move 11... Bf8 is taken seriously:

Modern Chess Openings and Standard Chess Openings, as well as most databases, show that 11... Bf8 is the only viable move, and still maintains an advantage for white.

However, doesn't 11... exd4 immediately equalize (if not give black a slight edge)?  Why is this move almost never seen?

Cheers!

I suppose they wouldn't want to give up control of the center. I don't play the Ruy Lopez though so I don't know.

exd4 looks like a positional error. It does give up the center and after cxd4 Black has nothing to show for it. Eventually, Black will have to play Bf8 anyhow, even after Na5 Bc2, so why not just play it first off and see how things go? 

why does that equalize? On what basis are you making this judgment?

Probably another Fritz "Novelty".

I'm basing it on computer analysis.  Not simply a single method or engine, but a multitide of different pieces of analysis.

All the research I can do shows that 11... exd4 equalizes.

I sense a hint of sarcasm... But no, it's not Fritz.  It's a combination of multiple free and commercial engines, along with a variety of test methods.

One thing Black tries in the mainline Ruy is the overprotection of the "strong point" e5. Playing exd4 is counterproductive. 

The main idea in the Ruy Lopez variation is to try to force White to play d5 to clode the center and to try to counterattack it with c6. Meanwhile, the move Bf8 threatens to win the e4 for pawn after exd4.

exd4 right away is a mistake because it shows a lack of understanding of black' s ideas.

Nevertheless, it is likely to transpose.

I guess that move lihe h6 should be considered to avoid trick with Bxf7 or Ng5

... exd4 ideas from Black in the Zaitsev is usually played only when White plays a4 so that b4 becomes a hole in the White camp and so Black outposts a Knight there. Main line goes 

9. h3 Bb7

10. d4 Re8

11. Nbd2 Bf8

12. a4 h6

13. Bc2 exd4!? 

14. cxd4 Nb4!?

15. Bb1 c5

16. d5 Nd7 

With ideas of either playing ... f5, to undermine White's pawn center and creating a Queenside majority or ... c4 and turn c5 into an outpost for the black Knight on d7.

But it's not like Black releasing a strongpoint in the center is an uncommon theme, but it should only be done if Black gets tangible counterplay. Take the Slav for instance: Black plays dxc4 and White plays a4 to regain the pawn. Even though Black has less space, White left this hole on b4 which Black exploits for counterplay.