C60intermediate

Ruy Lopez

The Spanish Opening - one of the most respected and played openings at all levels. It creates long-term strategic pressure.

39%
White wins
31%
Draw
30%
Black wins

Main Line Moves

1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5a64.Ba4Nf65.O-OBe76.Re1b57.Bb3d68.c3O-O9.h3Nb810.d4Nbd711.Nbd2Bb712.Bc2Re813.Nf1Bf814.Ng3g615.a4c516.d5c417.Bg5h618.Be3Nc519.Qd2Qc7
1.Central control
2.Symmetrical center
3.Attacks e5
4.Defends e5
5.The Ruy Lopez! Puts pressure on the knight defending e5
6.Kicks the bishop — the Morphy Defense

Key Ideas

  • 1Pressure on the e5 pawn through the c6 knight
  • 2Long-term strategic advantage for White
  • 3Rich middlegame plans
  • 4Can lead to both open and closed positions

Variations

Morphy Defense

e4e5Nf3Nc6Bb5a6Ba4Nf6O-OBe7Re1b5Bb3d6c3O-Oh3Na5Bc2c5d4

The main line - challenging the bishop immediately, leading to complex play

Berlin Defense

e4e5Nf3Nc6Bb5Nf6O-ONxe4d4Nd6Bxc6dxc6dxe5Nf5Qxd8+Kxd8Nc3Ke8

The Berlin Wall - ultra-solid endgame approach favored by Kramnik

Marshall Attack

e4e5Nf3Nc6Bb5a6Ba4Nf6O-OBe7Re1b5Bb3O-Oc3d5exd5Nxd5d4exd4Re1Be6

A brilliant pawn sacrifice for a devastating attack - Black gives up a pawn for initiative

Closed Ruy Lopez

e4e5Nf3Nc6Bb5a6Ba4Nf6O-OBe7Re1b5Bb3d6c3O-Oh3Na5Bc2c5d4Qc7Nbd2Bd7

Strategic maneuvering with slow buildup - a chess marathon

Practice the Ruy Lopez interactively

See every move animated on the board with step-by-step explanations

Open in ChessGrind →

Related Openings