Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bb5/3...a6/4. Ba4/4...d6/5. h3

This move will most likely see a surge in popularity in order to directly discourage Black from playing the Octopus Defense, a scary hypermodern attack against the Ruy Lopez. 5. h3 also prevents Black's idea of Bg4 to pin the f3 knight.

However, 5. h3 is not a good move, since it does not fight for the center or focus on development. Black immediately equalizes and then some after 5...b5! 6. Bb3 Na5, hunting down White's light-squared bishop in similar fashion to the Norwegian Variation of the Ruy Lopez.