This Strange Beginning

Alright, I have played many games of chess and Ive noticed that people seem to do the move d7 to d6, and I dont know why. Ive made my own strategy to attack on this and I think its okay. But is there a name for this d7 to d6 (3...d6)

I thought it was to defend the pawn on E6, while preparing to develope the bishop on C file (if not using opening needing P-b6.) Though now that you mention it, there are better developing moves than d6...

The d7-d6 pawn move marks the Steinitz variation of the Ruy Lopez. I'm no expert on this defence but I think it's seen as solid if a little unambitious. Other moves are far more common (3...a6 / Nf6 / f5 / Bc5 etc etc.

hmm, thank you josefK

you never would see me play 3.  ...  d6 i'm a pretty lousy chess player though.. i have done a little studying on ruy lopez through books and websights.. wikipedia (which i might add is an excellent reference for openings if all of the tiny writing in those huge books hurts your eyes and boggles your brain after a while) says that the d6 move is a solid reply, yes the steintz variation.. instead of capturing the knight on my 4th move i would have waited until my opponent played a6 though.. i would have developed my queenside night or played d4 you already have a pin why not let your opponent waste a move to force you to move it since you're planning to capture anyhow

ive been in that situation b4 aand i believe i played d4 the idea is that if he plays exd you play Nxd and threaten the pinned knight twice.. if it works out (wich it usually doesnt.. doesnt take a genious to see what youre setting up) then you can fork the king and a-rook with that bish and save him for the end game, even if it doesnt work out you have a temporary centralized knight.

a lot of people would move the bish to d7 to break the pin but if he plays a6 that gives him a funky looking fianchetto stuff to think about

cheers

if you are from "the kin gandi", i assume you're related to goosi gandi ?

great game!!!

If you want to play the steinitz line as black try 3....Nf6 first and then if 4. 0-0  d6 , or you can try the "improved steinitz" which first goes 3...a6 and only after  4 Ba4  d6 .