Play the Marshall - Top-Level Repertoire against the Spanish
After having provided a full repertoire against the closed games with Queen’s Gambit Declined Part 1 & 2, GM Ivan Cheparinov goes to work on the most classic opening after 1.e4 – the Spanish. True to his uncompromising analytical style, he goes for the most principled of Black’s many possible systems – the Marshall Gambit!
The author presents a full repertoire for Black after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6, dealing with the Exchange Variation, systems with an early d3, and all possible kinds of Anti-Marshall lines. The Marshall Gambit enjoys an excellent theoretical reputation, and this course will make you familiar with the modern developments of opening theory.
What’s Inside?
✅ 16 Theoretical Lessons – Covering all key concepts in depth
✅ 16 Interactive Test Positions – Reinforce your learning with practical exercises
✅ Memory Booster – Strengthen your recall of essential ideas
✅ 7+ Hours of Video Lessons – Expert explanations to guide your improvement
Course Overview
📖 Lesson 1: The Exchange Variation (4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0)
In this lesson, we tackle 5…Qf6, a solid yet ambitious response that provides Black with dynamic play. Unlike the overly forcing 5…Bg4 or the well-analyzed but predictable 5…f6, the move 5…Qf6 protects e5 while preparing for castling queenside.
This approach often provokes White into playing 6.d4 exd4 7.Bg5, but Black comfortably responds with 7…Qd6 8.Nxd4 Be7, achieving smooth development and a strong position.
Black frequently secures an active game with a safe yet flexible structure, leading to lively middlegame positions like the one shown in the diagram below.
Not a typical position to expect in the Spanish Exchange Variation!
Lessons 2 & 3: Dealing with White’s Alternatives to 5.0-0
In these lessons, we explore White’s alternatives to 5.0-0, such as 5.Nc3 and 5.d3. While these moves do not pose a theoretical challenge, they remain popular choices as they allow White to "just play chess" without diving into heavy theoretical preparation.
✅ Against 5.Nc3, we respond with 5…b5 6.Bb3 Be7, maintaining flexibility and preparing for natural piece development.
✅ Against 5.d3, we employ the less common yet intriguing 5…d6 6.0-0 g6, steering the game into a King’s Indian-style structure.
These setups offer Black solid yet dynamic play, leading to rich middlegame positions. Another snapshot below:
A dynamically balanced position with chances for both sides.
Lessons 4 to 7: Understanding White’s Sixth Move Options
In these lessons, we examine White’s various sixth-move alternatives after 5.0-0 Be7, including 6.Qe2, 6.d4, 6.Nc3, and 6.Bxc6. While these moves do not present a theoretical challenge, they require strong positional understanding from both sides.
✅ 6.Qe2 – Once a popular choice, but now rarely seen. Black can confidently respond in Marshall style with 6…b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5!, securing a comfortable position.
✅ 6.d4 & 6.Nc3 – Both allow Black to equalize effortlessly, leading to positions where understanding key plans is more important than memorization.
✅ 6.Bxc6 – Leads to a deep strategic battle, where the player with better positional insight will hold the upper hand.
These variations reinforce the importance of strong fundamental play, ensuring Black remains on solid ground while navigating the intricacies of different setups.
A for the line with 6.Bxc6 typical position – strategic planning is crucial. Black gets a good game by improving his knight with 13…Nb8-c6-d4!
Lessons 8-11: Entering Main Line Territory
Starting with Lesson 8, we dive into main line theory, focusing on the topical 6.d3—a seemingly quiet system that carries hidden venom. This approach is considered the most promising among the early d3 setups, as Black’s commitment to …Be7 rules out more active plans like …Bc5 or …g6, …Bg7.
After 6…b5 7.Bb3 d6, we reach a critical crossroads, where White has several options:
✅ 8.Bd2, 8.c3, 8.a3, and 8.a4 – Each of these moves is examined in detail.
✅ Unexplored yet ambitious ideas – Whenever possible, Cheparinov suggests dynamic alternatives that challenge conventional theory.
✅ Example: 8.a3 is met with 8…a5!?, a less explored but promising idea, aiming for active counterplay.
Compared to the main line with 8…0-0, that has been played in thousands of games, there are only 17(!) games to be found with 8…a5!? Nevertheless, this continuation is sound and solid, with excellent chances to surprise your opponent!
Lessons 12-14: The Traditional Main Line & Anti-Marshall Approaches
In Lesson 12, we reach the traditional main line with 6.Re1, where we analyze White’s lesser alternatives on move eight after 6…b5 7.Bb3 0-0. These setups, while less critical than the main Anti-Marshall ideas, still require precise handling.
Lessons 13 and 14 are dedicated to the "big" Anti-Marshall variations, focusing on 8.h3 and 8.a4—two of White’s most important attempts to sidestep the Marshall Gambit.
✅ Against 8.h3, the author examines the topical pawn sacrifice 8…Bb7 9.d3 Na5!?, a dynamic and aggressive response played by Magnus Carlsen in his 2021 World Championship Match.
In the main line 10.Nxe5 Nxb3 11.axb3 d5! 12.exd5 Qxd5, Black gets sustained positional compensation due to the presence of the pair of bishops in an open position.
After 8.a4, we go for the less theoretical, but dependable move 8…Rb8. One key-idea is to meet 9.axb5 axb5 10.c3 d6 11.d4 with 11…exd4! 12.cxd5 d5!, obtaining a good game.
Lesson 15-16: The Heart of the Repertoire – The Marshall Gambit
In Lesson 15, we arrive at the centerpiece of this repertoire—the Marshall Gambit, starting with 8.c3 d5!. This lesson covers all major sidelines, ensuring you are fully prepared for White’s attempts to deviate from the main battleground.
In Lesson 16, we reach the critical tabiya after 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5. Traditionally, the main continuation has been 11…c6, where Black’s primary source of compensation lies in active kingside counterplay.
However, recent theoretical developments have demonstrated that 11…Bb7 is an equally strong and strategically rich alternative. This is Cheparinov’s preferred choice for this repertoire, as it provides:
✅ Positional compensation – Rather than relying solely on direct kingside attacks, Black benefits from superior piece activity.
✅ Dynamic play across the board – Black’s counterplay extends to both the center and queenside, creating a dynamically balanced fight.
✅ Modern and practical approach – This variation offers practical chances in both classical and faster time controls, making it a powerful weapon for competitive play.
A typical example of this approach is shown in the diagram below:
Position after 17…c5!
Black exerts serious pressure against White’s centre and White’s queenside and enjoys excellent compensation. A possible continuation is 18.axb5 Nb6!? 19.Qe2 cxd4 20.cxd4 a4 21.Ba2 Bxd4 with the threat of …a3.
Why Study This Course?
GM Cheparinov’s repertoire provides players with state-of-the-art analysis that is based on sound positional principles against White’s main opening after 1.e4 e5 – the Spanish. In several key lines, the author manages to unearth less theoretical, but equally sound continuations with a healthy surprise factor!