I think I'll just play the d3 line when I don't know which line of the Spanish my opponent plays. If I do know it I'll try and prepare. Maybe that way I gradually 'learn' more.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3!? d6 6. c3 g6 7.Nbd2 Bg7 8. Nf1 0-0 

9. Ng3 b5 10. Bc2 d5 11. Qe2 h6 12. 0-0 Be6 13. Re1 

(Akopian - Krasenkow Fide Wch Tripoli 27.06.2004)


I've searched some online databases and Re1 is according to those played only once. 

Krasenkow continued with 13 ...Qe7 but after 14. d4 Nd7 was played, it went downhill for black after that move.
Shouldn't be to hard for black to find (an) improvement(s). 

I must say since I've seen the DVD I once again play the Spanish (for now just on playchess, haven't been able to play a long game with it) with good results. Before that when I played the Ruy Lopez I just got the feeling every possible move my opponent made was theory, and that I didn't know any. 

I just recived my copy yesterday for my birthday and love it. 5.d3 is a very nice system indeed somthing that may attract players who are affraif the theory and what not and dont want to play an exchange variation. Many of the ideas are still very strongly represented and it keeps the lopez playable for all levals. I would really like seeing beginners playa lopex than an italian i belive the spanish torture shows more about chess than any other opening.

In his new Ruy Lopez DVD for Chessbase, Martin recommends 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3!?

This cuts down all the open spanish/marshall lines. And given that the world elite keep playing that strange-looking a3/d3/h3 anti-marshall, 5. d3!? might actually be good. 

Opinions please.. both on this line and the DVD.