I have just started to play and study the Ruy Lopez. 4. d4 felt natural here. MCO-15 says this line is the Old Steinitz Defense and that after 3...d6 4. d4 is the best move.

?! Confusing two different variations of the opening. Typically Black plays: 4...Bd7 here. As we will see in the game, Black is forced into have a few pawn weaknesses (and in this case, it loses a pawn as well) because of this move, which gives White a better than normal advantage.

Winning the pawn.

Defending the pawn and setting up threats against the Un-castled Black King.

? Why not Bg7 now Black is very weak on the dark-squares and g6 was a wasted move.

! Prying open the center. White has a nice edge with the extra pawn and Black's weak a and c pawns, so trading queens is fine for White.

? Losing a piece because of the pinned d7 bishop to the un-castled king.

Removing the back rank threat and developing the final pieces.

? Attempting to mate the Black King, but missing that the g4 knight is guarding f6 and h6. Though I can play h3 after Rxc2.

?? Hanging the rook.