Nonsense only: Anti Ruy Lopez

[Henk]

If white plays 1. a3 black can not play Ruy Lopez with black.
In all other variations you have a2-a3 for free. So it's a bargain.

[ZirconiumX]

You could play the Guioco Piano instead, or the Ponziani.

Those are very good ways of avoiding the Ruy.

[Henk]

I can't play 1.e4 for it leaves that pawn unprotected and I have to invest another move to protect e4. So it costs two tempi. Actually I have to protect it twice. Otherwise the piece that protects e4 can't move. So it costs three tempi.

[yurikvelo]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anderssen ... Discussion

[ZirconiumX]

I can't play 1.e4 for it leaves that pawn unprotected and I have to invest another move to protect e4. So it costs two tempi. Actually I have to protect it twice. Otherwise the piece that protects e4 can't move. So it costs three tempi.

Immediately resigning costs no tempo at all. So clearly it's the best option.