Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bb5/3...Qf6

=Ruy Lopez - 3...Qf6!?=

The move 3...Qf6 is a rare and provocative response to the Ruy Lopez opening. It is part of some of the Ruy Lopez sidelines, where Black defends the e5-pawn with the queen instead of the usual 3...a6 attacking the bishop or 3...Nf6 attacking the e4 pawn. The move 3...Qf6 has the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

 * 1) It prevents White from castling kingside, as the queen can attack the white king on g1 after 4.O-O Qf4 (or 4...h5).
 * 2) It allows Black to play g5 and h5, creating a kingside attack and discouraging White from playing d4 (followed by) Bg5.
 * 3) It entices the black bishop on f8 to move to e7, where it can join in an all-out kingside attack with the queen.

Disadvantages:

 * 1) It exposes the black queen to attacks by White's minor pieces, such as Nc3 (followed by) Nd5, d4 (followed by) Bg5, or attacking the f7 pawn with Ng5 and rerouting the bishop to c4 or b3.
 * 2) It blocks the development of the black knight on g8, which may have trouble finding a good square.
 * 3) It violates the opening principle of not moving the queen too early, as it may waste time and tempo. It also allows White to play /4. d4/ and take over the center.